Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41286763›Full record

ArticleBMC public health2025

The hidden burden: prevalence and risk factors of long COVID among university students in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Pheerasak Assavanopakun, Suphapich Wangkawong, Wuttipat Kiratipaisarl, Wachiranun Sirikul, Tharntip Promkutkao, Suchat Promkutkeo, Amornphat Kitro

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Article in BMC public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Pheerasak AssavanopakunDepartment of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
Suphapich WangkawongFaculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
Wuttipat KiratipaisarlEnvironmental and Occupational Medicine Excellence Center (EnOMEC), Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
Wachiranun SirikulDepartment of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
Tharntip PromkutkaoDepartment of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
Suchat PromkutkeoSchool of Economics, Faculty of Economics, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
Amornphat KitroDepartment of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand. amornphat.kit@cmu.ac.th.

Funding

Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University No.074/2566
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAs the COVID-19 pandemic transitions to an endemic phase, long COVID symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection have emerged as a new global health challenge. However, its impact on university students remains underexplored. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of long COVID symptoms and identify its predictive factors.

methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from February to August 2023 among Thai university students in Chiang Mai. An online questionnaire collected data on demographics, COVID-19 history, vaccination, and health status. Multivariable binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with long COVID.

resultsA total of 997 students participated (60.5% female, mean age 20.6 years). Of these, 60.9% had received at least three COVID-19 vaccine doses, and 21.4% had received more than three mRNA vaccine doses. The prevalence of long COVID symptoms was 21.9% (n = 218). Common symptoms included respiratory issues (54.6%), neurological complaints (50.4%), psychological symptoms (42.7%), and poor sleep quality (34.9%). Significant predictors of long COVID included severe initial infection (aOR = 15.3; 95% CI: 5.3-44.3; p < 0.001), longer illness duration (aOR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.0-1.1; p = 0.031), and poor sleep quality (aOR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.4-3.1). Each additional dose of mRNA vaccine reduced the likelihood of severe outcomes by 14% (aOR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.8-1.0; p = 0.044).

conclusionA minority of Thai university students reported long COVID symptoms. Vaccination, especially with multiple mRNA doses, was linked to reduced risk. Early detection and targeted support during recovery may help mitigate long-term health consequences in this group.

Indexed as

COVID-19StudentsAdolescentAdultCOVID-19 VaccinesCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMalePrevalenceRisk FactorsSARS-CoV-2Surveys and QuestionnairesThailandUniversitiesYoung AdultCOVID-19 VaccinesCOVID-19Long COVIDRisk factorThailandUniversity students

Identifiers

PMID41286763
PMCPMC12641946

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LicenceCC BY
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.