Abstract
BACKGROUND: Prolonged exposure to chronic stressors, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, heightens the likelihood of experiencing various physical and mental health complications, including developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The objective of the current study was to assess the prevalence of PTSD and examine its association with health beliefs among students enrolled in the Shahroud University of Medical Sciences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 and involved 350 students from diverse medical sciences. The participants were selected using a multistage stratified random sampling method. The study utilized health belief and PTSD questionnaires to collect data. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), Chi-square, and multiple regression models. RESULTS: The average PTSD score among students was 43.3 ± 13.1. It was shown that 81 (23.8%) individuals had a lower score of PTSD. Furthermore, 161 (47.3%) were determined to have moderate levels of PTSD, while 99 (29%) had severe levels of PTSD. The average health beliefs score was 97.4 ± 15.0 out of 184, indicating moderate health views. The findings show a correlation between more outstanding total scores on health behaviors and a lower average score on PTSD. Regarding variables, it was discovered that Ph.D. and professional doctorate students had higher PTSD ratings than undergraduate students. Individuals with weaker economic means had a 4.6-point higher average PTSD score than those with a monthly income exceeding $300. Furthermore, people with moderate to high anxiety levels due to COVID-19 had a considerably higher average PTSD score, roughly 13.3 higher, than those who experienced lower stress levels. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate a negative correlation between the total score of health behaviors and the average score of PTSD. Furthermore, the variables of educational level, impoverished economic status, and anxiety induced by the COVID-19 pandemic emerged as significant predictors of elevated scores on the PTSD scale. In order to increase psychological health and reduce PTSD in students, this research suggests teaching health principles in the context of COVID-19.