Widespread outbreaks of infectious disease, such as COVID-19, are associated with psychological distress and symptoms of mental illness especially for patients with suggestive symptoms.

Predict the prevalence of perceived stress and study associated factors among patients with suspected COVID-19 infection.

A cross sectional study was conducted between April and May 2020. Patients consulting the sorting box at the Hedi Chaker Hospital of Sfax and declared suspect to be infected by COVID-19 were invited to participate in our study after given their cosent. Perceived Stress Scale-10 was used to evaluate prevalence of perceived stress.

In total, 149 participants participated. The mean age was 38.8±15.39 years. Medical or surgical history and psychiatric history were identified respectively in 30,2% and 12.1% of participants. Among all respondents, 74.5% took a nasopharyngeal swab to look for COVID-19 and only 6.4% had a positive test. Close contact with someone with a positive COVID-19 infection was found in 8.05%. Several participants (79,2%) expressed fear of transmitting the disease to their family members. The mean of the PSS-10 score was 11.97±9.83. Moderate to severe perceived stress was found in 44.3% of patients. Significantly higher scores were observed among participants with a positive pharyngeal swab for COVID-19 as well as those who perceived worry of transmetting the disease. No significant differences in perceived stress’ scores according to socio-demographic data.

Perceived stress was high among patients with suspected COVID-19 infection. Perceiving worry of transmetting the disease and having a positive pharyngeal swab for COVID-19 were the principal risk factors.

No significant relationships.

Quarantine for suspected patients of being infected by the COVID-19 can lead to negative consequences for mental health and the appearance of depressive symptoms.

To assess the prevalence of depression in quarantined patients, and to analyze the associated factors.

This was a descriptive and analytical survey, carried out from April 4 to May 30, 2020, with 149 patients consulting the COVID-19 sorting box at the Hedi Chaker CHU in Sfax. Suspected COVID-19 patients were contacted by phone during their quarantine and invited to participate in our study. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scale was used to assess the severity of depression. Cutoffs of 5, 10, 15, and 20 represent minimal, mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe levels of depression based on PHQ-9 scores. A cutoff score of 10 determines major depression.

The results showed a prevalence of major depression of 10.7%. Of all patients, 89.3% had minimal to mild depression; 10% had moderate to moderately severe depression and 0.7% had severe depression. The PHQ-9 score was statistically correlated with travel to a suspect area during the 14 days preceding the consultation (p = 0.008), contact with a subject confirmed COVID-19 (p = 0.01), previous follow-up in psychiatry (p = 0.047), the change of residence during quarantine (p = 0.045), the fear of transmitting the disease to relatives (p = 0.00) and the positive result of the nasopharyngeal swab (p = 0.00).

Psychological distress was felt in our patients. We recommend that necessary measures should be taken to combat depression.