Assessing Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Social Determinants Among COVID-19 Case-Contact Dyads in Household Settings.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The COVID-19 outbreak raised several public and mental health concerns including tremendous psychological distress.

Aim: To assess post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among COVID-19-positive patients and household contacts and to determine the socio-demographic factors associated with PTSD in the study population.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among COVID-19-positive patients and their family members in Ernakulam district. A daily list of COVID-19-positive patients was obtained from the district officials. Confirmed cases and their close contacts in households were contacted over telephone and were interviewed after obtaining consent. Post-traumatic stress was assessed by the PTSD Symptom Scale - Interview Version (PSS-I-5) questionnaire.

Results: There were 279 study participants, of whom 93 were COVID-19 positive and the remaining 186 were their contacts. More than a third (34, 36.6%) of cases suffered from PTSD while about a fifth (40, 21.5%) of contacts suffered from PTSD. Among cases, persons belonging to the below poverty line (BPL) had 2.9l (1.19, 7.24) times higher risk compared to those above poverty line (APL). Women also had a 2.8 (1.14, 7.01) higher odds compared to males. Among contacts, graduates had a 9.54 (95% CI: 1.84, 49.36) increased odds whereas homemakers were found to be protected (0.195 (0.06, 0.66)) against PTSD compared to the employed group.

Conclusions: Psychological counselling and support are essential for addressing PTSD among women and those living with BPL, as these groups are disproportionately affected.