Factors associated with post COVID-19 pandemic posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in medical students

Abstract

Objective: To identify post-COVID-19 pandemic-related factors associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms in medical students from a private university in Lima, 2023. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 193 medical students implemented through a web-based survey using the COVID- 19-PTSD questionnaire. The data were tabulated and analyzed using the version 25 of the statistical software SPSS, and employing prevalence ratios (PR) within a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Among the participants, 129 (66,84%) were female, with a mean age of 29,66 ± 6,25 years. Being a healthcare worker was an individual factor associated with PTSD (PR: 1,29; 95% CI: 1,05-1,58; p=0,014). Family-related factors such as having children at home (PR: 1,30; 95% CI: 1,09-1,54; p=0,002), cohabitating with relatives during the quarantine period (PR: 1,90; 95% CI: 1,55-2,33; p<0,001), and living with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 (PR: 2,25; 95% CI: 1,78-2,83; p<0,001) were also associated with PTSD symptomatology. Lastly, having had multiple COVID-19 diagnoses (PR: 1,77; 95% CI: 1,67-1,89; p<0,001) and having been hospitalized for such reason (PR: 2,32; 95% CI: 1,44-3,73; p<0,001) were pandemic-related variables associated with PTSD symptomatology among medical students. Conclusions: The mental health of medical students was significantly affected during the pandemic, suggesting the need for adequate psychological support in future similar circumstances.