S evere acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is caused by a novel coronavirus (1) and has placed extraordinary demands upon health care systems worldwide. Unlike previous public health challenges, health care workers (HCWs) comprised a high proportion of the nearly 8000 infected persons across 29 countries: the percentage of infected HCWs ranged from 3% in the US, where most cases originated from international air travel (2), to as high as 22% in Hong Kong (3), 33% in Taiwan (4), and 51% in Toronto (5), with a mortality rate of 15% (6). Since early SARS resembles influenza (7), widespread avoidance of crowded places occurred in Hong Kong. HCWs were rapidly deployed to SARS wards. A qualitative study of 11
General stress and negative psychological effects are increased in SARS patients, particularly among infected health care workers. This may increase the risk of mood and stress-related disorders. Functional impairment is apparent in the postrecovery phase.
The web-based survey methodology was well accepted by our sample group of tertiary education students. We found high rates of psychological morbidity in first-year tertiary education students in Hong Kong. The high prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms in the first year of college life is alarming. It illustrates the need for primary and secondary prevention measures, with development of adequate and appropriate support services for this group.
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