Understanding, compliance and psychological impact of the SARS quarantine experience.
This study examines a cohort of persons quarantined during the 2003 SARS outbreak in Canada and describes their understanding of, difficulties and compliance with, and the psychological impact of the quarantine experience. A mailed questionnaire was administered to 1912 eligible adults and included the Impact of Events Scale - Revised (IES-R) to assess symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Self-reported compliance with all required quarantine measures was low (15.8+/-2.3%), although significantly higher when the rationale for quarantine was understood (P=0.018). Health-care workers (HCW) experienced greater psychological distress, including symptoms of PTSD (P<0.001). Increasing perceived difficulty with compliance, HCW, longer quarantine and compliance with quarantine requirements were significant contributors to higher IES-R scores. The low compliance with quarantine requirements introduces concerns about the effectiveness of quarantine as a public health measure. Improvements in compliance and reduced psychological distress may be possible by minimizing duration, revising requirements, and providing enhanced education and support.
Clinical Development, Sanofi Pasteur, Connaught Campus, Toronto, ON, Canada. donna.reynolds@sanofipasteur.com
D L
DL
Reynolds
J R
JR
Garay
S L
SL
Deamond
M K
MK
Moran
W
W
Gold
R
R
Styra
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D032882:Comprehension; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011790:Quarantine / Q000523:psychology*; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires