Campus Population Changes in Depression Severity Correlated with the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: Mental health consequences during COVID-19 Pandemic burdened societies. Objective: The aim is to assess the average PHQ-9 in medical visits during pandemic months and compare it with historical data, adapting an existing methodology. Methodology: we used average PHQ-9 score from medical departments, comparing 2020 Fall term data to historical baseline. The increase above baseline and threshold was reported as percentage. We compared the observed average for the current period with the expected average and the higher limit of the 95% confidence interval (CI 95%) derived from historical five years of data. Also, we analyzed the PHQ-9 difference between female and male students for the whole period. Results: Average PHQ-9 for total sample, females and males increased. Difference female- male in scoring was significant. Discussion: In line with national and international literature, our population showed increases in depressive scoring during pandemic months. Women had a higher percentage of increase.