title: Predictors of symptoms of posttraumatic stress in Chinese university students during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The university environment poses a high risk of spreading infectious diseases, particularly the 2009 pandemic influenza H1N1, as it is a mass gathering place for youth. This study aimed to evaluate the predictors of stress symptoms among Chinese university students during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used a self-reported questionnaire, the PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C) to evaluate the stress symptoms among Chinese university students from Heilongjiang (n=455), Beijing (n=106), Shanghai (n=419) and Sichuan (n=102). We then analyzed the predictors of stress symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The proportion of university students enrolled in this study who met symptomatic criteria for PTSD was 2% (22 students). The mean PCL-C total score in the sample was 22.09 ± 8.01. The correlational analyses revealed a significant positive relationship between the PCL-C total score and area, and university grade (P<0.01). Moreover, a negative relationship was found between the PCL-C total score and gender, having H1N1 influenza, having family members, friends or acquaintances having H1N1 influenza, and being afraid of H1N1 influenza (P<0.01). The regression analyses showed that in North China, female gender, having H1N1 influenza, having family members or acquaintances with H1N1 influenza, and being afraid of H1N1 influenza were significant predictors of the stress symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In North China, female gender, having H1N1 influenza, having family members, friends, or acquaintances with H1N1 influenza, and being afraid of H1N1 influenza were significant predictors of the stress symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Jiahong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Yayuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Mingmin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jiangmin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhan
authors.forename: Mingxu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Qianyi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Junjie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cheng
mesh_terms: D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult