Mental Health World Conference 2026

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19) pandemic has posed a major global challenge affecting not only healthcare systems, but also social life, the economy, education, and everyday human functioning. In addition to its respiratory manifestations, COVID 19 has been increasingly associated with a wide range of neuropsychiatric and mental health consequences. International studies have shown elevated rates of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during and after COVID 19 infection. However, evidence remains limited regarding whether these psychiatric outcomes are independently attributable to COVID 19 itself and whether they persist longitudinally, particularly in low  and middle income settings such as Mongolia.

Objective:

To determine the prevalence, longitudinal course, and associated risk factors of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress disorder among hospitalized patients during the COVID 19 pandemic, and to assess whether COVID 19 infection has an independent effect on the development of these mental health outcomes.

Materials and Methods:

This hospital based study was conducted using a prospective cohort design. A total of 552 participants were included in the baseline screening assessment. Of these, 93 participants with overt psychiatric disorders at baseline were excluded, and the remaining 459 relatively psychiatrically healthy participants were enrolled into the longitudinal cohort. Among them, 327 were hospitalized due to COVID 19 infection (case group), and 132 were hospitalized for non COVID 19 related conditions (control group). Participants were followed prospectively at 14 days, 3 months, and 12 months after baseline. Symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and PTSD were assessed using the PHQ 9, GAD 7, ISI, and PCL 5 scales, respectively. The independent effect of COVID 19 infection was evaluated using relative risk estimates and repeated measures comparisons, while associated risk factors were identified through multivariable logistic regression analyses. In addition, observational outcomes of psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, and combined treatment among participants who developed psychiatric symptoms during follow up were evaluated.