Resiliencia en las personas mayores durante la primera ola pandémica de la COVID-19 en Chile: una perspectiva desde los determinantes sociales de la salud

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess the association between social determinants of health (SDH) and resilience in older people during the first period of confinement in the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile. Materials and methodsAn observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted using a nationally representative survey data-set. In this survey, using a systematic randomization process, a subsample of people aged ≥60 years from the community were interviewed by telephone during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Chile. Resilience was assessed using the Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS) and depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scale. The SDH considered were: age, sex, educational level, employment status, social isolation, loneliness, discontent with housing and health care needs. ResultsA total sample of 582 persons was obtained. The mean age was 71 years (SD: 7.64; 69% women). A significant association was obtained between low resilience and the following conditions: loneliness (OR: 1.776 [95% CI: 1.146–2.751]), high risk of social isolation (OR: 1.667 [95% CI: 1.149-2.419]), and depressive symptoms (OR: 2.602 [95% CI: 1.795-3.774]). Female gender was a protective factor (OR: 0.589 [95% CI: 0.406-0.855]). ConclusionThe SDH, such as loneliness and social isolation, are factors associated with low resilience in older people during the COVID-19 pandemic and may be taken into account in planning public health intervention strategies.