A follow up study depressive and anxiety symptoms of children in Wuhan City, Hubei Province / 中国学校卫生

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To investigate the progression of depressive and anxiety symptoms of children, especially whose parents were frontline workers in the combat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and to provide evidence for children s mental health promotion.@*Methods@#In June and December 2020, two surveys were conducted among the children in a primary school in Qiaokou District, Wuhan. The questionnaire included demographic information, student learning conditions, and depressive/anxiety symptoms.@*Results@#A total of 963 children completed both surveys. The detection rate of depressive and anxiety symptoms at follow up was significantly higher than that at the baseline survey (depressive symptoms OR=1.45, 95%CI =1.16-1.83; anxiety symptoms OR=1.79, 95%CI =1.41-2.28, P <0.01). There was no statistically significant change in depressive/anxiety symptoms among children whose parents were frontline workers compared with those whose parents were not( P >0.05). Girls, lower learning efficiency, and less interaction with teachers in class were risk factors for depressive or anxiety symptoms of children( P < 0.05 ).@*Conclusion@#Mental health status of children requires continuous attention. Moreover, timely psychological protection should be given to prevent the occurrence of psychological problems and the further deterioration of psychological problems.