Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and General Mental Health Problems During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Iran: A Web-Based Cross-sectional Survey

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic as a stressor can harm the community's mental health. Iran is one of first countries to be severely affected by since February 2020. Objectives: This study aimed assess rates COVID-19-related Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms (PTSS) and general health burden among Iranian population during explore potential influencing factors. Methods: Through web-based cross-sectional survey, based on social media, data were collected from self-selected volunteers using demographic information form, General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), Impact Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Results: Among 1,910 analyzed respondents, overall prevalence PTSS was 62.4 43.6%, respectively. Regarding health, greater in anxiety dimensions than physical depression dimensions. higher women, younger age groups, divorced/widowed individuals, people with history psychiatric disorders, those who had experienced other stressful events last year (P-values < 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression showed that positive GHQ-28 score factors associated (AOR = 2.468 6.007, respectively; P-values 0.001). Conclusions: identified significant Iranians pandemic. Continuous assessment monitoring psychological consequences pandemics should considered countries.