AUTHOR=Hao Fengyi , Zhang Zhisong , Lau Sam S. S. , Chiang Soon-Kiat , Zhou Dewen , Tan Wanqiu , Tang Xiangdong , Ho Roger 

TITLE=The emergence of COVID-19 over-concern immediately after the cancelation of the measures adopted by the dynamic zero-COVID policy in China

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1319906

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2023.1319906

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=<sec id="sec1"><title>Background</title><p>This study aimed to report the prevalence of COVID-19 over-concern and its associated factors after the relaxation of the health-protective measures in China.</p></sec><sec id="sec2"><title>Methods</title><p>A team of seven experts in psychiatry and psychology specializing in COVID-19 mental health research from China, Hong Kong, and overseas reached a consensus on the diagnostic criteria for COVID-19 over-concern. Individuals had to meet at least five of the following criteria: (1) at least five physical symptoms; (2) stocking up at least five items related to protecting oneself during the COVID-19 pandemic; (3) obsessive-compulsive symptoms related to the COVID-19 pandemic; (4) illness anxiety related to the COVID-19 pandemic; (5) post-traumatic stress symptoms; (6) depression; (7) anxiety; (8) stress and (9) insomnia. An online survey using snowball sampling collected data on demographics, medical history, views on COVID-19 policies, and symptoms of COVID-19 over-concern. Multivariate linear regression was performed using significant variables from the previous regressions as independent variables against the presence of COVID-19 over-concern as the dependent variable. Breush-Pagan test was used to assess each regression model for heteroskedasticity of residuals.</p></sec><sec id="sec3"><title>Results</title><p>1,332 respondents from 31 regions in China participated in the study for 2 weeks from December 25 to 27, 2022, after major changes in the zero-COVID policy. After canceling measures associated with the dynamic zero-COVID policy, 21.2% of respondents fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for COVID-19 over-concern. Factors significantly associated with COVID-19 over-concern were poor self-rated health status (<italic>β</italic> = 0.07, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001), concerns about family members getting COVID-19 (<italic>β</italic> = 0.06, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001), perceived usefulness of COVID-19 vaccine (<italic>β</italic> = 0.03, <italic>p</italic> = 0.012), impact on incomes, employment and studies (<italic>β</italic> = 0.045, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001) and impact on families (<italic>β</italic> = 0.03, <italic>p</italic> = 0.01).</p></sec><sec id="sec4"><title>Conclusion</title><p>After removing measures associated with the dynamic zero-COVID policy in China, approximately one-fifth of respondents met the diagnostic criteria for COVID-19 over-concern.</p></sec>