Results
Detailed characteristics of both November 2017 and May 2020 samples are provided in Table 1. In 2020, approximately 10% of the sample reported using at least one type of prescription drugs on daily basis, while 1% reported using three to four different types. A considerable number of individuals (6.5%) expressed strong worries on both questions regarding the health consequences of COVID-19. Additionally, 8.5% of participants reported strong worries on both questions focused on the economic consequences of COVID-19. Approximately 2% of individuals reported having been tested (either positively or negatively) for COVID-19; and about 10% of the sample had visited a health professional regarding their mental health within the last 12 months.
Table 1. Description of the 2017 and 2020 sample (unweighted)
2017 2020
Gender, n (%)
Males 1532 (46.34) 1440 (47.67)
Females 1774 (53.66) 1581 (52.33)
Age, mean (sd) 48.82 (17.19) 46.84 (16.02)
Education, n (%)
Elementary 278 (8.41) 180 (5.96)
Other than elementary 3028 (91.59) 2841 (94.04)
Marital status, n (%)
Other than married/living with a partner 1314 (39.75) 1243 (41.15)
Married/living with a partner 1992 (60.25) 1778 (58.85)
Employment status, n (%)
Employed, student, retired, receiving benefits 3194 (96.61) 2917 (96.56)
Unemployed 112 (3.39) 104 (3.44)
Size of residence, n (%)
0–4999 1264 (38.23) 1064 (35.22)
5000–19 999 609 (18.42) 573 (18.97)
20 000–99 999 725 (21.93) 671 (22.21)
10 000 and more 708 (21.42) 713 (23.6)
Daily use of prescription drugs – number of drugs categories, n (%)
0 3133 (94.77) 2703 (89.47)
1 132 (3.99) 211 (6.98)
2 28 (0.85) 75 (2.48)
3 10 (0.3) 25 (0.83)
4 3 (0.09) 7 (0.23)
COVID-19 health-related worries – number of items with strong worries, n (%)
0 NAa 2476 (81.96)
1 NA 350 (11.59)
2 NA 195 (6.45)
COVID-19 economic worries – number of items with strong worries, n (%)
0 NA 2516 (83.28)
1 NA 251 (8.31)
2 NA 254 (8.41)
Presence of COVID-19, n (%)
Not tested NA 2961 (98.01)
Tested negative or positive NA 60 (1.99)
Received treatment in the last 12 months
No 3122 (94.43) 2725 (90.2)
Yes 184 (5.57) 296 (9.8)
a Not applicable.
A detailed comparison of prevalence in 2017 and 2020 is presented in Table 2 and is graphically displayed in Fig. 1. The proportion of those experiencing symptoms of at least one current mental disorder increased during the COVID-19 pandemic by more than 10% (20.02, 95% CI = 18.64; 21.39 v. 29.63, 95% CI = 27.9; 31.37) when compared to the baseline in November 2017. While the prevalence of current affective disorders increased by almost 12.5% (6.57, 95% CI = 5.71; 7.4 v. 18.58, 95% CI = 17.09; 20.05), the prevalence of current anxiety disorders increased by approximately 6% (7.79, 95% CI = 6.87; 8.7 v. 12.84, 95% CI = 11.6; 14.05). The prevalence of alcohol use disorders in 2020 was approximately the same as in 2017 (10.84, 95% CI = 9.78; 11.89 v. 9.88, 95% CI = 8.74; 10.98); however, there was a significant increase in consumption of alcohol as measured by both, the number of glasses per drinking session for all examined beverages (beer 1.62 v. 1.8, wine 1.41 v. 1.62 and spirits 1.24 v. 1.32) as well as the number of individuals who binge drank at least once per week (4.07 v. 6.39%).
Fig. 1. Prevalence of mental disorders among non-institutionalized adults in the Czech Republic: November 2017 and May 2020.
Table 2. Prevalence of mental disorders per study years
2017 2020
Any mental disorder 20.02 (18.64; 21.39) 29.63 (27.9; 31.37)
Affective disorders 6.57 (5.71; 7.4) 18.58 (17.09; 20.05)
Anxiety disorders 7.79 (6.87; 8.7) 12.84 (11.6; 14.05)
Alcohol use disorders 10.84 (9.78; 11.89) 9.88 (8.74; 10.98)
Affective disorders
Major depressive episode 3.96 (3.28; 4.62) 11.77 (10.56; 12.99)
Suicidality 3.88 (3.21; 4.52) 11.88 (10.64; 13.07)
Anxiety disorders
Panic disorder 0.21 (0.04; 0.36) 0.88 (0.53; 1.18)
Generalised anxiety disorder 3.14 (2.52; 3.72) 5.17 (4.31; 5.95)
Agoraphobia 5.16 (4.4; 5.91) 7.99 (6.99; 9)
Social phobia 1.67 (1.22; 2.09) 2.53 (1.94; 3.07)
Posttraumatic stress disorder 0.96 (0.61; 1.28) 1.7 (1.23; 2.15)
Alcohol use disorder
Alcohol abuse 9.42 (8.39; 10.41) 7.85 (6.85; 8.79)
Alcohol dependence 6.61 (5.72; 7.48) 4.25 (3.49; 5)
The results are expressed as weighted proportions (%) with weighted 95% CIs.
The main results of the logistic regression are provided in Table 3, and the results containing all associations in online Supplementary Table 4. Both strong worries from health and economic consequences of COVID-19 were associated with an increased risk for fulfilling the criteria of at least one mental disorder (1.63, 95% CI = 1.4; 1.89 and 1.42, 95% CI = 1.23; 1.63 respectively), major depressive episode (1.66, 95% CI = 1.38; 1.99 and 1.44, 95% CI = 1.21; 1.71), risk of suicide (1.43, 95% CI = 1.19; 1.72 and 1.37, 95% CI = 1.15; 1.62) and anxiety disorders (1.7, 95% CI = 1.42; 2.02 and 1.43, 95% CI = 1.2; 1.69). However, we found no statistically significant association between alcohol use disorders and health or economic COVID-19 worries. Having been tested (either negatively or positively) for COVID-19 was associated with elevated risk of at least one mental disorder (2.13, 95% CI = 1.21; 3.73), risk of suicide (2.36, 95% CI = 1.23; 4.32) and anxiety disorders (2.11, 95% CI = 1.08; 3.95), but not for major depressive episode or alcohol use disorders.
Table 3. Logit regression models: an association of COVID-19-related covariates and the presence of mental disorders
Any mental disorder Major depressive episode Suicidality Anxiety disorders Alcohol use disorders
COVID-19 health-related worries 1.63 (1.4; 1.89)*** 1.66 (1.38; 1.99)*** 1.43 (1.19; 1.72)*** 1.7 (1.42; 2.02)*** 1.12 (0.88; 1.41)
COVID-19 economic worries 1.42 (1.23; 1.63)*** 1.44 (1.21; 1.71)*** 1.37 (1.15; 1.62)*** 1.43 (1.2; 1.69)*** 1.13 (0.91; 1.38)
Presence of COVID-19
Not tested Ref. Ref. Ref. Ref. Ref.
Tested negative or positive 2.13 (1.21; 3.73)* 1.75 (0.87; 3.34) 2.36 (1.23; 4.32)* 2.11 (1.08; 3.95)* 0.96 (0.39; 2.07)
Models adjusted for age, gender, level of education, marital status, employment status, size of residence and use of prescription drugs. The results are expressed as ORs with 95% CIs.
*p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001.