Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Related Factors Among COVID-19 Survivors Two Years After the Pandemic: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Survey in Kurdistan, Iran

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a threatening and potentially traumatic event, causing psychological problems among communities. So far, few studies have evaluated the long-term psychological impact of COVID-19 on mental health. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the frequency of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among people living in Kurdistan province, Iran, more than two years after the beginning of the pandemic, and to determine factors related to adverse mental outcomes. Methods: Using the convenience sampling method, a web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from 21 March to 21 May 2022. A total of 2,705 respondents completed the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), and 2,669 cases were included in the study. We used the multivariable logistic regression analysis to detect factors associated with PTSD. Results: The mean age of the participants was 34.98 ± 10.84 years, and the overall prevalence of PTSD was 38.9%. The potential factors associated with PTSD included younger age, the history of isolation, previous psychiatric disorders, and loss of relatives or friends due to COVID-19 (P < 0.05). Conclusions: According to our results, the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative effect on the mental health of a relatively high percentage of the general population in Kurdistan, Iran. Given the possible long-term mental health effects of the outbreak of acute infectious diseases, planning to improve mental health in vulnerable groups should be considered for the post-COVID-19 era.