Post-COVID-19 symptoms and the development of mental disorders in pharmacy students: a cross-sectional study

The health issues of patients after the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection necessitate more attention than ever. Many patients, after being infected with COVID-19, have experienced persistent symptoms that require hospitalization for treatment. Besides physical problems, mental health is of co...

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Main Authors: Khanh Duy Dang, Hao Yen Tran, Tien Minh Nguyen, Phuong Ha Lai, Khoa Thien Huynh, Khoa Anh Nguyen, Khoa Dang Ly
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Cogent Psychology
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311908.2024.2445875
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author Khanh Duy Dang
Hao Yen Tran
Tien Minh Nguyen
Phuong Ha Lai
Khoa Thien Huynh
Khoa Anh Nguyen
Khoa Dang Ly
author_facet Khanh Duy Dang
Hao Yen Tran
Tien Minh Nguyen
Phuong Ha Lai
Khoa Thien Huynh
Khoa Anh Nguyen
Khoa Dang Ly
author_sort Khanh Duy Dang
collection DOAJ
description The health issues of patients after the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection necessitate more attention than ever. Many patients, after being infected with COVID-19, have experienced persistent symptoms that require hospitalization for treatment. Besides physical problems, mental health is of concern. Our cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the relationship between post-COVID-19 symptoms and the development of mental disorders. A questionnaire was sent to 343 pharmacy students at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy about COVID-19 infection and post-COVID-19 symptoms. Insomnia, anxiety, and depression were assessed through the Insomnia Severity Index, General Anxiety Disorder-7, and Patient Health Questionnaire scales, respectively. COVID-19 had affected 174 students, of whom 53.4% reported to have post-COVID-19 symptoms. Fatigue/weakness was the most common symptom and was significantly elevated in individuals with multiple infections compared to those affected just once. Mental health issues such as insomnia, anxiety, and depression increased by 50% in students with post-COVID-19 symptoms, especially those with fatigue, difficulty breathing, and persistent cough. In addition, depression was more prevalent in those with chest pain. In conclusion, our study suggested a relationship between post-COVID-19 symptoms and pharmacy students’ mental health. Particular attention should be paid to this population; thereby, prompt support could be made to improve their mental health.
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spelling doaj-art-5dac9c6606b648a4902f47fc9fdfd3072025-08-20T02:56:03ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Psychology2331-19082025-12-0112110.1080/23311908.2024.2445875Post-COVID-19 symptoms and the development of mental disorders in pharmacy students: a cross-sectional studyKhanh Duy Dang0Hao Yen Tran1Tien Minh Nguyen2Phuong Ha Lai3Khoa Thien Huynh4Khoa Anh Nguyen5Khoa Dang Ly6Faculty of Pharmacy, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho City, VietnamFaculty of Pharmacy, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho City, VietnamFaculty of Pharmacy, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho City, VietnamFaculty of Pharmacy, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho City, VietnamFaculty of Pharmacy, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho City, VietnamFaculty of Pharmacy, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho City, VietnamFaculty of Pharmacy, Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Can Tho City, VietnamThe health issues of patients after the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection necessitate more attention than ever. Many patients, after being infected with COVID-19, have experienced persistent symptoms that require hospitalization for treatment. Besides physical problems, mental health is of concern. Our cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the relationship between post-COVID-19 symptoms and the development of mental disorders. A questionnaire was sent to 343 pharmacy students at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy about COVID-19 infection and post-COVID-19 symptoms. Insomnia, anxiety, and depression were assessed through the Insomnia Severity Index, General Anxiety Disorder-7, and Patient Health Questionnaire scales, respectively. COVID-19 had affected 174 students, of whom 53.4% reported to have post-COVID-19 symptoms. Fatigue/weakness was the most common symptom and was significantly elevated in individuals with multiple infections compared to those affected just once. Mental health issues such as insomnia, anxiety, and depression increased by 50% in students with post-COVID-19 symptoms, especially those with fatigue, difficulty breathing, and persistent cough. In addition, depression was more prevalent in those with chest pain. In conclusion, our study suggested a relationship between post-COVID-19 symptoms and pharmacy students’ mental health. Particular attention should be paid to this population; thereby, prompt support could be made to improve their mental health.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311908.2024.2445875Post-COVID syndromemental disordersinsomniaanxietydepressionHealth Education and Promotion
spellingShingle Khanh Duy Dang
Hao Yen Tran
Tien Minh Nguyen
Phuong Ha Lai
Khoa Thien Huynh
Khoa Anh Nguyen
Khoa Dang Ly
Post-COVID-19 symptoms and the development of mental disorders in pharmacy students: a cross-sectional study
Cogent Psychology
Post-COVID syndrome
mental disorders
insomnia
anxiety
depression
Health Education and Promotion
title Post-COVID-19 symptoms and the development of mental disorders in pharmacy students: a cross-sectional study
title_full Post-COVID-19 symptoms and the development of mental disorders in pharmacy students: a cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Post-COVID-19 symptoms and the development of mental disorders in pharmacy students: a cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Post-COVID-19 symptoms and the development of mental disorders in pharmacy students: a cross-sectional study
title_short Post-COVID-19 symptoms and the development of mental disorders in pharmacy students: a cross-sectional study
title_sort post covid 19 symptoms and the development of mental disorders in pharmacy students a cross sectional study
topic Post-COVID syndrome
mental disorders
insomnia
anxiety
depression
Health Education and Promotion
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311908.2024.2445875
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