Self-Reported Long COVID and Its Impact on COVID-19-Related Worries and Behaviors After Lifting the COVID-19 Restrictions in China.

OBJECTIVE

Since the lifting of the COVID-19 restrictions in China in November 2022, there has been a notable surge in the COVID-19 infection rate. Little is known about the prevalence of long COVID among the general adult population and its impact on COVID-19-related worries and behaviors after the policy change.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study recruited 1530 adults with prior COVID-19 infection in Guangzhou from February to March 2023. Logistic regression analyses and trend analyses were performed to investigate the associations between long COVID- and COVID-19-related worries and preventive behaviors.

RESULTS

The estimated prevalence of long COVID among adults in China was 18.0% (95% confidence interval: 16.1% to 20.0%). Common long COVID symptoms included cough (60.7%), fatigue (47.6%), dyspnea (34.5%), palpitation (26.2%), and insomnia (25.1%). Adjusted for background variables, individuals with long COVID exhibited higher level of COVID-19-related worries compared to those who had fully recovered from the infection (reference: without long COVID; adjusted odds ratios ranged from 1.87 to 2.55, all p values < 0.001). Participants primarily expressed worries regarding the potential for COVID-19 reinfection, the impact of the pandemic on daily life, the increasing number of COVID-19 cases and deaths, and the capacity of the healthcare system. While long COVID did not statistically significantly affect their preventive behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS

Long COVID was prevalent among the general adult population in China after lifting the COVID-19 restrictions, and it had a significant impact on COVID-19-related worries. This study highlights the importance of monitoring the mental health of individuals with long COVID and developing targeted intervention strategies to improve their adherence to preventive measures.