Post-COVID-19 mental health and its associated factors at 3-months after discharge: A case-control study

BACKGROUND: Mental health disorders are among the most significant sequelae of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the mental health status and associated risk factors of Moroccan COVID-19 survivors 3 months after hospital discharge. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted from September 2021 to February 2022 on 824 participants. 213 were COVID-19 survivors and 611 were control group. Data were collected ether through an online anonymous survey. Anxiety and depression disorders were assessed using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). RESULTS: The average age of all participants was 55.17 ± 16.44. Our findings highlighted higher prevalence of mental health disorders including anxiety and depression in COVID-19 survivors at 3 months after hospital discharge (HADS-A = 12.84; HADS-D = 10.91) compared to control group (HADS-A = 9.90; HADS-D = 8.27) (p < 0.001). Older patients, suffering from type 2 diabetes and kidney diseases, admitted to ICU, who stayed a long duration in the hospital, who had severe and longer duration of symptoms and who used Chloroquine, had higher levels of anxiety and depression after discharge. CONCLUSIONS: The present investigation highlights the need to develop a post-COVID-19 rehabilitation programs that can better manage the post COVID-19 impact and restore a good mental health for COVID-19 survivors. Also, to create preventative strategies to limit mental health disorders in COVID-19 survivors.