Prevalence and influencing factors of long COVID brain fog among college students: a cross-sectional study in Taizhou, China

Apr 28, 2026PeerJ

How common long COVID brain fog is and what affects it among college students in Taizhou, China

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Abstract

Of the 1,071 surveyed college students, 13.7% reported experiencing long COVID, with 27.2% of those individuals experiencing symptoms of brain fog.

Brain fog is reported by 27.2% of students with long COVID.
Age greater than 20 is associated with a higher likelihood of experiencing brain fog (odds ratio = 4.360).
A clinical classification of COVID-19 is linked to an increased risk of brain fog (odds ratio = 2.940).
A decreased sense of smell and taste is significantly associated with brain fog (odds ratio = 5.110).

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BACKGROUND: Long COVID following SARS-CoV-2 infection is a public health concern. Brain fog, a symptom of long COVID, has an impact on patients' daily lives and health. However, studies on the effects of COVID on college students are limited.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study included students from two tertiary institutions in Taizhou, China. Data were collected using WeChat-based electronic questionnaires on the Wen-Juan-Xing survey platform from July 20, 2023 to August 7, 2023. Chi-square analyses and binary logistic regression were used to evaluate the factors contributing to brain fog.

RESULTS: A total of 1,071 students participated in the survey. Of these 1,071 students, 13.7% (147/1,071) reported experiencing long COVID, of whom 27.2% (40/147) reported symptoms of brain fog. Significant associations with brain fog were observed for the following factors: age (> 20≤ 20 years, odds ratio (OR) = 4.360, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.620-11.740]), clinical classification of COVID-19 (OR = 2.940, 95% CI [1.230-7.010]), and a decreased sense of smell and taste (OR = 5.110, 95% CI [1.240-21.110]). vs.

CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the significant prevalence of long COVID brain fog among college students and identifies key associated factors, underscoring the need for specific, focused interventions and support for affected individuals.

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Prevalence and influencing factors of long COVID brain fog among college students: a cross-sectional study in Taizhou, China

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