Evaluation of post traumatic stress disorder in patients aged 40-80 years old with COVID-19 registered with family health centers

Objective: This study aims to investigate the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder levels of COVID-19 patients during the pandemic period with the internationally valid İmpact of Events Scale (IES) determine the relationship of this situation with sociodemographic and other environmental factors. Materials and Methods: Our research is a cross-sectional descriptive study. Two hundred individuals between the ages of 40-and 80 registered to five different Family Health Centers in Manisa Merkez, Yunusemre ve Şehzadeler districts, who had COVID-19 in the last three months from the start of the study, were included in the research. The research data were collected between 16.12.2021 and 16.03.2022. A 20-question survey prepared by examining the literature and the İmpact of Events Scale were used as data collection tools. Results: % 61 of the participants included in the study are female, and %39 are male, with a mean age of 48,10 ± 9,41 (min:40, max:80). The participants' mean Impact of Events Scale score was 21.82 +12.18. It was found to be significantly higher in women, singles, people living alone, and individuals with a continuation of symptoms after COVID-19 (p<0.05). When the diagnostic cut-off value for PTSD for the Impact of Events Scale is taken as 30, 13% of the individuals participating in the study have a risk for PTSD. In 87%, there is no risk. Conclusion: The post-traumatic stress disorder risk level of the participants after COVID-19 was lower than in the early times of the epidemic. This low rate is the better recognition of the disease in society, the widespread use of vaccines, and the relaxation of restrictive measures such as quarantine. Individuals with low mental resilience, dysfunctional coping styles with stress, negative perceptions and attitudes towards the coronavirus epidemic, and social isolation are more vulnerable to the coronavirus epidemic. To protect their mental health, these people need training and timely psychological intervention to raise awareness of mental effects on a community basis. Therefore, during the pandemic period, primary care physicians should briefly question the psychological status of COVID-19 patients and obtain information. Approaches should be taken to improve the mental health of people. Activities in this direction are also crucial in combating possible future epidemics. Key Words: COVID-19 Disease, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Mental Health