Prevalence of COVID-19 fear and its association with quality of life among fire service recruits after ceasing the dynamic zero-COVID policy in China

Frontiers in Public Health

Public Health

Yuan Feng¹  Yue-Ying Wang²  Todd Jackson³  Jian Liu⁴  Teris Cheung⁵  Zhaohui Su⁶  Tong Leong Si⁷  Pan Chen⁷  Yu-Tao Xiang⁷ 

[1] Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders & National Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China;Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR, China;Department of Psychology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR, China;Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, China Emergency General Hospital, Beijing, China;School of Nursing, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China;School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China;Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Institute of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR, China;Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao SAR, China;

关键词: COVID-19 pandemic;    fire service recruits;    fear of COVID-19;    network analysis;    quality of life;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpubh.2023.1257943

 received in 2023-07-13, accepted in 2023-09-20,  发布年份 2023

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundIn December 2022, China terminated its dynamic zero-COVID policy. To date, however, no research has been conducted upon mental health issues and their relationship with quality of life (hereafter QoL) among fire service recruits since the dynamic zero-COVID policy ended. This study explored fear of COVID-19 (FOC) prevalence and correlates as well as its network structure and interconnections with QoL among fire service recruits.MethodsA cross-sectional survey design was used to assess fire service recruits in Beijing and Sichuan, Guangxi and Guizhou provinces of China between February 13 and 16, 2023. Fear of COVID-19 was measured using the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, depression was assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire, anxiety was examined using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, and QOL was evaluated with the World Health Organization Quality of Life-brief version. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to explore correlates of COVID-19 fear. Network analysis assessed the structure of fear of COVID-19 and its associations with QoL.ResultsA total of 1,560 participants were included in this study. The overall prevalence of fear of COVID-19 was 38.85% (n = 606; 95% CI = 36.42–41.32%). Being afraid of COVID-19 was significantly related to depression (OR = 1.084; p < O.OO1) and physical fatigue (OR = 1.063; p = 0.026). Fire service recruits with more fear of COVID-19 had lower QOL (F = 18.061 p < 0.001) than those with less fear of COVID-19 did. The most central symptoms included FOC6 (“Sleep difficulties caused by worry about COVID-19”), FOC7 (“Palpitations when thinking about COVID-19”) and FOC2 (“Uncomfortable to think about COVID-19”). The top three symptoms negatively associated with QoL were FOC4 (“Afraid of losing life because of COVID-19”), FOC6 (“Sleep difficulties caused by worry about COVID-19”) and FOC2 (“Uncomfortable to think about COVID-19”).ConclusionOver one-third of fire service recruits reported fear of COVID-19 after China’s dynamic zero-COVID policy had terminated. Poorer QoL was related to fear of COVID-19. Targeting core symptoms of the fear network structure could help improve the physical and mental health of fire service recruits during public health crises.

【 授权许可】

Unknown   
Copyright © 2023 Liu, Si, Chen, Wang, Su, Cheung, Jackson, Xiang and Feng.