Characteristics of the study population(N = 502).

Psychological distress is widely recognized as a significant health concern that poses a potential risk to the overall mental wellbeing of individuals. This study investigated the psychological distress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and the coping methods employed by adults in Bo district, Sierra Leone. This research used a snapshot approach (cross-sectional design) to describe the prevalence of psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic among 502 adults residing in Bo district, Sierra Leone. We collected study data using a structured questionnaire that comprised of participant’s demographics, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), Fear of COVID-19Scale (FCV-19S), Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS), and Duke-UNC Functional Social Support instrument. We used backward stepwise binary logistic regression to identify the key factors linked to psychological distress. The average psychological stress score was 22.96±11.35, with approximately one-third of participants (n = 160, 31.9%) exhibiting very high levels of psychological distress. The mean score for fear of COVID-19 was 29.71±6.84, with the majority (n = 420,83.7%) being fearful of COVID-19. The mean score for the Brief Resilient Coping Mechanism was 12.49±4.51, with half of the participants considered low resilient copers (n = 257,51.2%). The mean score for functional social support was 25.35±8.85, with (n = 240, 47.8%) having increased social support. Individuals with a known health condition [aOR = 4.415, 95% CI = 1.859–10.484], who provided care to a family member/patient with known/suspected COVID-19 [aOR = 4.485, 95% CI = 1.575–12.775], who knew someone who died from COVID-19 [aOR = 3.117, 95% CI = 1.579–6.154], with an increased fear of COVID-19 [aOR = 4.344, 95% CI = 2.199–8.580] had higher odds of moderate to severe psychological distress. Moderate resilient copers [aOR = 0.523, 95% CI = 0.296–0.925] had lower odds of psychological distress compared to the low resilient copers. Participants with increased social support had lower odds of psychological distress than those with low support [aOR = 0.253, 95% CI = 0.147–0.434]. A significant proportion of the study cohort residing in Bo, Sierra Leone, experienced high levels of mental stress because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study shows the importance of designing and implementing programs that minimize COVID-19 stressors and enhance the coping skills and social support network.

心理困扰已被广泛认定为一项重大健康议题，对个体的整体心理健康福祉构成潜在风险。本研究针对塞拉利昂博区成年人在新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19）疫情期间所经历的心理困扰及应对方式展开调查。本研究采用横断面研究设计（又称快照式调研方法），描述了502名居住于塞拉利昂博区的成年人在COVID-19疫情期间的心理困扰患病率。本研究通过结构化问卷收集研究数据，问卷内容涵盖受试者人口学信息、凯斯勒心理困扰量表（Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, K10）、新型冠状病毒肺炎恐惧量表（Fear of COVID-19 Scale, FCV-19S）、简易弹性应对量表（Brief Resilient Coping Scale, BRCS）以及杜克-UNC功能性社会支持量表（Duke-UNC Functional Social Support instrument）。本研究采用向后逐步二元logistic回归分析，筛选与心理困扰相关的关键影响因素。受试者的平均心理应激得分为22.96±11.35，约三分之一的参与者（n=160，占比31.9%）存在极严重的心理困扰。新型冠状病毒肺炎恐惧量表得分均值为29.71±6.84，绝大多数参与者（n=420，占比83.7%）存在新型冠状病毒肺炎恐惧情绪。简易弹性应对量表得分均值为12.49±4.51，半数参与者被归类为低弹性应对者（n=257，占比51.2%）。功能性社会支持得分均值为25.35±8.85，47.8%的参与者（n=240）拥有较高水平的社会支持。存在基础健康状况的受试者[调整后比值比（adjusted odds ratio, aOR）=4.415，95%置信区间（confidence interval, CI）=1.859–10.484]、照护过确诊/疑似COVID-19患者或家属的受试者[aOR=4.485，95%CI=1.575–12.775]、曾接触过因COVID-19离世者的受试者[aOR=3.117，95%CI=1.579–6.154]以及COVID-19恐惧程度较高的受试者[aOR=4.344，95%CI=2.199–8.580]，出现中度至重度心理困扰的比值更高。相较于低弹性应对者，中度弹性应对者出现心理困扰的比值更低[aOR=0.523，95%CI=0.296–0.925]。社会支持水平较高的受试者，其出现心理困扰的比值低于社会支持水平较低者[aOR=0.253，95%CI=0.147–0.434]。本研究队列中，塞拉利昂博区的相当一部分受试者因COVID-19疫情出现了较高水平的心理应激。本研究证实，制定并实施旨在降低COVID-19相关应激源、提升个体应对技能与社会支持网络的干预方案具有重要意义。