Psychiatric outcomes and overall functionality in students from health care programs during the pandemic: a cross-sectional study at the first COVID-19 wave in Brazil.

Abstract

There are evidences that Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic impacted students from health care programs, including associations between anxiety or depression, inadequate coping mechanisms or unhealthy habit. However, little is known about possible predictors of mental health or psychiatric symptoms in Brazilian health care students during this period. : To evaluate possible associated factors of anxiety and depressive symptoms, as a measure of psychiatric outcomes, and quality of life, as a parameter of overall functionality in Brazilian students from health care programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cross-sectional study conducted with Brazilian students from health care programs from May to December 2020. Participants were recruited through social media and answered a 71-item open online questionnaire exploring demographic characteristics and personal behaviors during the pandemic, anxiety, depression and quality of life. We searched for potential associated variables of psychiatric symptoms and mental health in these individuals using Poisson regression models. Multivariate models showed depression and anxiety were associated to poor quality of life, and medication abuse was associated with higher anxiety and poor quality of life. Psychotherapy was an effective coping strategy for anxiety, and meditation or mindfulness practice and physical activity improved the quality of life of the students. Our study provides important information about the factors and coping strategies associated with psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic that should be helpful to reflect and to design appropriate interventions.