Positive mental health-related impacts of the SARS epidemic on the general public in Hong Kong and their associations with other negative impacts

Objectives: To investigate 2 positive impacts (better family/social support and lifestyle changes) and their associations with other negative impacts. Study design and participants: A telephone survey using random telephone numbers and a structured questionnaire was conducted in Hong Kong general population. Eight hundred and eighteen Hong Kong residents of age 18-60 years completed the interview (response rate: 65%) at around end of June 2003, the early ending phase of the epidemic. Results: Over 60% of the respondents stated that they cared more about the family members' feelings; about 30%-40% stated that they found their friends, their family members more supportive or having more sharing with others when not feeling happy; only a few percent felt the opposite. Further, about 2/3 of the respondents paid more attention to their mental health. About 35%-40% took more time to rest, for relaxation or doing exercise. These items were, in general, negatively associated with post-traumatic stress, perception of stress and other perceptions that were related to SARS. Conclusions: SARS have brought some positive impacts on social/family support, mental health awareness and lifestyle changes. These positive impacts were associated with other relevant negative impacts and might be important cushions of the negative impact. (C) 2005 The British Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.