Impact of long COVID-19 on posttraumatic stress disorder
as modified by health literacy: an observational study in
Vietnam

Vo, Han Thi; Dao, Tien Duc; Duong, Tuyen Van; Nguyen, Tan Thanh; Do, Binh Nhu; Do, Tinh Xuan; Pham, Khue Minh; Vu, Vinh Hai; Pham, Linh Van; Nguyen, Lien Thi Hong; Le, Lan Thi Huong; Nguyen, Hoang Cong; Dang, Nga Hoang; Nguyen, Trung Huu; Nguyen, Anh The; Nguyen, Hoan Van; Nguyen, Phuoc Ba; Nguyen, Hoai Thi Thanh; Pham, Thu Thi Minh; Le, Thuy Thi; Nguyen, Thao Thi Phuong; Tran, Cuong Quoc; Nguyen, Kien Trung

Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2024 Feb;15(1):33-44. 10.24171/j.phrp.2023.0261.

Impact of long COVID-19 on posttraumatic stress disorder as modified by health literacy: an observational study in Vietnam

Vo HT^1,2
Dao TD³
Duong TV^1,4
Nguyen TT^5,6
Do BN^7,8
Do TX⁹
Pham KM¹⁰
Vu VH¹¹
Pham LV¹²
Nguyen LTH¹²
Le LTH^13,14,15
Nguyen HC^13,16
Dang NH^14,17
Nguyen TH¹⁸
Nguyen AT¹⁹
Nguyen HV^20,21,22,2
Nguyen PB²²
Nguyen HTT²³
Pham TTM^10,24
Le TT^25,26
Nguyen TTP²⁷
Tran CQ²⁸
Nguyen KT²⁹

Affiliations

¹International Ph.D. Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
²Department of Psychiatry, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue, Vietnam
³Institute of Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Military Hospital, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
⁴School of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
⁵Department of Orthopedics, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho, Vietnam
⁶Director Office, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Can Tho, Vietnam
⁷Department of Infectious Diseases, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
⁸Department of Military Science, Vietnam Military Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
⁹Department of Psychiatry, Military Hospital 103, Hanoi, Vietnam
¹⁰Faculty of Public Health, Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hai Phong, Vietnam
¹¹Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, Viet Tiep Hospital, Hai Phong, Vietnam
¹²Department of Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Diseases, Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Hai Phong, Vietnam
¹³Director Office, Thai Nguyen National Hospital, Thai Nguyen, Vietnam
¹⁴Training and Direction of Healthcare Activity Center, Thai Nguyen National Hospital, Thai Nguyen, Vietnam
¹⁵Biochemistry Department, Thai Nguyen National Hospital, Thai Nguyen, Vietnam
¹⁶President Office, Thai Nguyen University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Nguyen, Vietnam
¹⁷Department of Quality Control, Thai Nguyen National Hospital, Thai Nguyen, Vietnam
¹⁸Director Office, Gang Thep Hospital, Thai Nguyen, Vietnam
¹⁹Director Office, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Hai Duong, Vietnam
²⁰Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, Viet Tiep Hospital, Hai Phong, Vietnam
²¹Department of Infectious Diseases, Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hai Phong, Vietnam
²²Director Office, Kien An Hospital, Hai Phong, Vietnam
²³Training and Direction of Healthcare Activity Center, Kien An Hospital, Hai Phong, Vietnam
²⁴School of Public Health, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
²⁵President Office, Da Nang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy, Da Nang, Vietnam
²⁶Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Da Nang University of Medical Technology and Pharmacy, Da Nang, Vietnam
²⁷Institute for Community Health Research, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue, Vietnam
²⁸Faculty of Public Health, Pham Ngoc Thach University of Medicine, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
²⁹Department of Health Promotion, Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Hanoi University of Public Health, Hanoi, Vietnam

KMID: 2553787
DOI: http://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2023.0261

Abstract

Objectives
The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has increased, particularly among individuals who have recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Health literacy is considered a “social vaccine” that helps people respond effectively to the pandemic. We aimed to investigate the association between long COVID-19 and PTSD, and to examine the modifying role of health literacy in this association.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted at 18 hospitals and health centers in Vietnam from December 2021 to October 2022. We recruited 4,463 individuals who had recovered from COVID-19 infection for at least 4 weeks. Participants provided information about their sociodemographics, clinical parameters, health-related behaviors, health literacy (using the 12-item short-form health literacy scale), long COVID-19 symptoms and PTSD (Impact Event Scale-Revised score of 33 or higher). Logistic regression models were used to examine associations and interactions.
Results
Out of the study sample, 55.9% had long COVID-19 symptoms, and 49.6% had PTSD. Individuals with long COVID-19 symptoms had a higher likelihood of PTSD (odds ratio [OR], 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.63–2.12; p < 0.001). Higher health literacy was associated with a lower likelihood of PTSD (OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97–0.99; p = 0.001). Compared to those without long COVID-19 symptoms and the lowest health literacy score, those with long COVID-19 symptoms and a 1-point health literacy increment had a 3% lower likelihood of PTSD (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.96–0.99; p = 0.001).
Conclusion
Health literacy was found to be a protective factor against PTSD and modified the negative impact of long COVID-19 symptoms on PTSD.

Keyword

Health literacy; Long COVID-19; Observational study; Posttraumatic stress disorder; Vietnam

Impact of long COVID-19 on posttraumatic stress disorder as modified by health literacy: an observational study in Vietnam

Abstract

Keyword

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