IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v17y2020i14p5047-d384103.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Social Distancing among Medical Students during the 2019 Coronavirus Disease Pandemic in China: Disease Awareness, Anxiety Disorder, Depression, and Behavioral Activities

Author

Listed:
  • Huidi Xiao

    (Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Maternal Care, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Wen Shu

    (Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Maternal Care, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Menglong Li

    (Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Maternal Care, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China)

  • Ziang Li

    (Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Maternal Care, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China)

  • Fangbiao Tao

    (Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China)

  • Xiaoyan Wu

    (Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China)

  • Yizhen Yu

    (Department of Child and Women Health Care, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China)

  • Heng Meng

    (Department of Child and Women Health Care, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China)

  • Sten H. Vermund

    (Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
    Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA)

  • Yifei Hu

    (Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Maternal Care, School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China)

Abstract

Background: During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, harsh social distancing measures were taken in China to contain viral spread. We examined their impact on the lives of medical students. Methods: A nation-wide cross-sectional survey of college students was conducted from 4–12 February 2020. We enrolled medical students studying public health in Beijing and Wuhan to assess their COVID-19 awareness and to evaluate their mental health status/behaviors using a self-administered questionnaire. We used the Patient Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and Health Questionnaire-9 to measure anxiety disorders and depression. We used multivariable logistic regression and path analysis to assess the associations between covariates and anxiety disorder/depression. Results: Of 933 students, 898 (96.2%) reported wearing masks frequently when going out, 723 (77.5%) reported daily handwashing with soap, 676 (72.5%) washed hands immediately after arriving home, and 914 (98.0%) reported staying home as much as possible. Prevalence of anxiety disorder was 17.1% and depression was 25.3%. Multivariable logistic regression showed anxiety to be associated with graduate student status (odds ratio (aOR) = 2.0; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2–3.5), negative thoughts or actions (aOR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.4–1.7), and feeling depressed (aOR = 6.8; 95% CI: 4.0–11.7). Beijing students were significantly less likely to have anxiety than those in the Wuhan epicenter (aOR = 0.9; 95% CI: 0.8–1.0), but depression did not differ. Depression was associated with female students (aOR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.2–3.3), negative thoughts or actions (aOR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.5–1.9), and anxiety disorder (aOR = 5.8; 95% CI: 3.4–9.9). Path analysis validated these same predictors. Conclusions: Despite medical students’ knowledge of disease control and prevention, their lives were greatly affected by social distancing, especially in the Wuhan epicenter. Even well-informed students needed psychological support during these extraordinarily stressful times.

Suggested Citation

  • Huidi Xiao & Wen Shu & Menglong Li & Ziang Li & Fangbiao Tao & Xiaoyan Wu & Yizhen Yu & Heng Meng & Sten H. Vermund & Yifei Hu, 2020. "Social Distancing among Medical Students during the 2019 Coronavirus Disease Pandemic in China: Disease Awareness, Anxiety Disorder, Depression, and Behavioral Activities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-13, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:14:p:5047-:d:384103
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/14/5047/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/14/5047/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cuiyan Wang & Riyu Pan & Xiaoyang Wan & Yilin Tan & Linkang Xu & Cyrus S. Ho & Roger C. Ho, 2020. "Immediate Psychological Responses and Associated Factors during the Initial Stage of the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Epidemic among the General Population in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-25, March.
    2. Najla Dar-Odeh & Hamzah Babkair & Shaden Abu-Hammad & Sary Borzangy & Abdalla Abu-Hammad & Osama Abu-Hammad, 2020. "COVID-19: Present and Future Challenges for Dental Practice," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-10, April.
    3. María B. Martos-Cabrera & Emilio Mota-Romero & Raúl Martos-García & José L. Gómez-Urquiza & Nora Suleiman-Martos & Luis Albendín-García & Guillermo A. Cañadas-De la Fuente, 2019. "Hand Hygiene Teaching Strategies among Nursing Staff: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-13, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Thomas Volken & Annina Zysset & Simone Amendola & Anthony Klein Swormink & Marion Huber & Agnes von Wyl & Julia Dratva, 2021. "Depressive Symptoms in Swiss University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Their Correlates," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-14, February.
    2. Arndt Büssing & Michaela Zupanic & Jan P. Ehlers & Angelika Taetz-Harrer, 2022. "Mental Stress in Medical Students during the Pandemic and Their Relation to Digital and Hybrid Semester—Cross-Sectional Data from Three Recruitment Waves in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-18, September.
    3. Ana Luisa Varrone Sartorao & Carlos Izaias Sartorao-Filho, 2024. "Anxiety and Depression Disorders in Undergraduate Medical Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Integrative Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(12), pages 1-15, December.
    4. Isabel Lasheras & Patricia Gracia-García & Darren M. Lipnicki & Juan Bueno-Notivol & Raúl López-Antón & Concepción de la Cámara & Antonio Lobo & Javier Santabárbara, 2020. "Prevalence of Anxiety in Medical Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Rapid Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-12, September.
    5. Wandeep Kaur & Vimala Balakrishnan & Yoke Yong Chen & Jeyarani Periasamy, 2022. "Mental Health Risk Factors and Coping Strategies among Students in Asia Pacific during COVID-19 Pandemic—A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-15, July.
    6. Blanca Rosa García-Rivera & Jorge Luis García-Alcaraz & Ignacio Alejandro Mendoza-Martínez & Jesús Everardo Olguin-Tiznado & Pedro García-Alcaráz & Mónica Fernanda Aranibar & Claudia Camargo-Wilson, 2021. "Influence of COVID-19 Pandemic Uncertainty in Negative Emotional States and Resilience as Mediators against Suicide Ideation, Drug Addiction and Alcoholism," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-19, December.
    7. Javier Santabarbara & Nahia Idoiaga & Naiara Ozamiz-Etxebarria & Juan Bueno-Notivol, 2021. "Prevalence of Anxiety in Dental Students during the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-14, October.
    8. Alessandra Patrono & Stefano Renzetti & Angela Manco & Paola Brunelli & Stefanny M. Moncada & Mark J. Macgowan & Donatella Placidi & Stefano Calza & Giuseppa Cagna & Matteo Rota & Maurizio Memo & Maur, 2022. "COVID-19 Aftermath: Exploring the Mental Health Emergency among Students at a Northern Italian University," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-16, July.
    9. Ibrahim A. Elshaer & Mohamed Algezawy & Mohanad M. S. Ghaleb & Shaimaa A. Mohamed & Alaa M. S. Azazz, 2023. "The Impact of Social Loafing on Turnover Intention for Tourism Employees Post COVID-19: The Mediating Role of Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(9), pages 1-16, May.
    10. Huihui Ma & Yi Zhang & Hong Li & Tao Jiang, 2024. "The Relationship Between Perceived Social Support and Post-Traumatic Growth Among Medical Staff Three Weeks After the Policy Opening of COVID-19 Pandemic in China: Deliberate Rumination as Mediator," SAGE Open, , vol. 14(3), pages 21582440241, September.
    11. Franca Spatafora & Paula M. Matos Fialho & Heide Busse & Stefanie M. Helmer & Hajo Zeeb & Christiane Stock & Claus Wendt & Claudia R. Pischke, 2022. "Fear of Infection and Depressive Symptoms among German University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of COVID-19 International Student Well-Being Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-15, January.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Rocío Lavigne-Cervan & Borja Costa-López & Rocío Juárez-Ruiz de Mier & Marta Sánchez-Muñoz de León & Marta Real-Fernández & Ignasi Navarro-Soria, 2021. "Implications of the Online Teaching Model Derived from the COVID-19 Lockdown Situation for Anxiety and Executive Functioning in Spanish Children and Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-15, October.
    2. Fei Qin & Yiqing Song & George P Nassis & Lina Zhao & Yanan Dong & Cuicui Zhao & Yiwei Feng & Jiexiu Zhao, 2020. "Physical Activity, Screen Time, and Emotional Well-Being during the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-16, July.
    3. Na-Hye Kim & Jung-Min Lee & Eunhye Yoo, 2022. "How the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Changed Adolescent Health: Physical Activity, Sleep, Obesity, and Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-12, July.
    4. Xinqiao Liu & Yifan Zhang & Wenjuan Gao & Xiaojie Cao, 2023. "Developmental trajectories of depression, anxiety, and stress among college students: a piecewise growth mixture model analysis," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
    5. Gina Voss & Andreia F. Paiva & Alice Delerue Matos, 2021. "A Study of the Association between the Stringency of Covid-19 Government Measures and Depression in Older Adults across Europe and Israel," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-12, July.
    6. Mateusz Ciski & Krzysztof Rząsa, 2023. "Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression in the Investigation of Local COVID-19 Anomalies Based on Population Age Structure in Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-23, May.
    7. Andrea Alexander & Stephen Fung & Martin Eichler & Nadja Lehwald-Tywuschik & Vasuki Uthayakumar & Sami-Alexander Safi & Christian Vay & Hany Ashmawy & Sinan Kalmuk & Alexander Rehders & Sascha Vaghiri, 2022. "Quality of Life in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-10, March.
    8. José Pais-Ribeiro & Alexandra Ferreira-Valente & Margarida Jarego & Elisabet Sánchez-Rodríguez & Jordi Miró, 2022. "COVID-19 Pandemic in Portugal: Psychosocial and Health-Related Factors Associated with Psychological Discomfort," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-13, March.
    9. Alessandro Germani & Livia Buratta & Elisa Delvecchio & Claudia Mazzeschi, 2020. "Emerging Adults and COVID-19: The Role of Individualism-Collectivism on Perceived Risks and Psychological Maladjustment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-15, May.
    10. Joanna Baj-Korpak & Kamil Zaworski & Ewa Szymczuk & Andrei Shpakou, 2022. "Physical Activity and Mental Health of Medical Students from Poland and Belarus-Countries with Different Restrictive Approaches during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-15, October.
    11. Gülsen Erden & Asil Ali Özdoğru & Sami Çoksan & Hale Ögel-Balaban & Yakup Azak & İlkiz Altınoğlu-Dikmeer & Aysun Ergül-Topçu & Yeşim Yasak & Gözde Kıral-Uçar & Seda Oktay & Pelin Karaca-Dinç & Ezgi Di, 2022. "Social Contact, Academic Satisfaction, COVID-19 Knowledge, and Subjective Well-being Among Students at Turkish Universities: a Nine-University Sample," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 17(4), pages 2017-2039, August.
    12. Mevlut Okan Aydin & Guven Ozkaya & Ilker Mustafa Kafa & Shafiul Haque & Zuleyha Alper, 2023. "Hopelessness among Medical Students Caused Due to COVID-19 Pandemic Linked Educational Hiatus: A Case Study of Bursa Uludag University, Türkiye," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-15, February.
    13. Gregory Knell & Michael C. Robertson & Erin E. Dooley & Katie Burford & Karla S. Mendez, 2020. "Health Behavior Changes During COVID-19 Pandemic and Subsequent “Stay-at-Home” Orders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-16, August.
    14. Chunli Wei & Qingqing Li & Ziyi Lian & Yijun Luo & Shiqing Song & Hong Chen, 2022. "Variation in Public Trust, Perceived Societal Fairness, and Well-Being before and after COVID-19 Onset—Evidence from the China Family Panel Studies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-14, September.
    15. Edmond Pui Hang Choi & Bryant Pui Hung Hui & Eric Yuk Fai Wan & Jojo Yan Yan Kwok & Tiffany Hei Lam Tam & Chanchan Wu, 2021. "COVID-19 and Health-Related Quality of Life: A Community-Based Online Survey in Hong Kong," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-12, March.
    16. Valerie Bauza & Gloria D. Sclar & Alokananda Bisoyi & Ajilé Owens & Apurva Ghugey & Thomas Clasen, 2021. "Experience of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Rural Odisha, India: Knowledge, Preventative Actions, and Impacts on Daily Life," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-17, March.
    17. Antonio José Sánchez-Guarnido & Nuria Hidalgo & Jorge Arenas de la Cruz & Inmaculada Esteban & Silvia Mondón & Carlos Herruzo, 2021. "Analysis of the Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic on People with Severe Mental Disorders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-11, August.
    18. Mohamed Mekhemar & Sameh Attia & Christof Dörfer & Jonas Conrad, 2021. "Dental Nurses’ Mental Health in Germany: A Nationwide Survey during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-18, July.
    19. Ana María Recio-Vivas & José Miguel Mansilla-Domíngez & Ángel Belzunegui-Eraso & David Peña-Otero & David Díaz-Pérez & Laura Lorenzo-Allegue & Isabel Font-Jiménez, 2022. "Compliance with COVID-19 Prevention Measures in the Spanish Population during the New Normal: Will the Need for Greater Community Involvement Be One of the Lessons Learned?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-11, November.
    20. Marwah Ahmed Behisi & Hussain M. Altaweel & Reham F. Gassas & Mansour Aldehaiman & Abdulmajeed A. Alkhamees, 2021. "COVID-19 Pandemic and Mental Health Status of Saudi Citizens Living Abroad," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-17, July.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:14:p:5047-:d:384103. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.