Factors associated with mental health in Peruvian medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multicentre quantitative study

ABSTRACT

Objective: To assess the mental health status and associated factors of Peruvian medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Descriptive, multicentre, correlational study that used the "Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)", the "Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)" and the "Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R)" questionnaires to evaluate mental health problems. Results: A total of 1,238 students from 8 Peruvian medical schools participated in the study. Of these, 68.5% were women, and the mean age was 21.4 years. Depressive symptoms were found in 74% of the participants, anxiety symptoms in 57% and distress symptoms in 65%. The variables associated with the development of symptoms of moderate-severe depression, anxiety and distress were not having family economic stability, being in the first years of medical training, being female, and fearing that their medical training would be delayed and impaired. Conclusions: In a sample of medical students surveyed during the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health problems were common. The factors associated with mental health reported in this study could be useful in identifying vulnerable medical students who require timely psychosocial support and/or psychiatric care.

RESUMEN

Objetivo: Evaluar el estado de salud mental y sus factores asociados en una muestra de estudiantes de Medicina peruanos durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos:Estudio descriptivo, multicéntrico y correlacional que utilizó las escalas Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) e Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) para evaluar los problemas de salud mental. Resultados: Participaron en total 1.238 estudiantes de 8 facultades de Medicina de Perú. El 68,5% eran mujeres y la media de edad, 21,4 anos. Se encontraron síntomas depresivos en el 74% de los participantes, síntomas de ansiedad en el 57% y síntomas de malestar en el 65%. Las variables asociadas con la aparición de síntomas depresivos moderados-graves, ansiedad y malestar fueron no tener estabilidad económica familiar, estar en los primeros an os de formación médica, ser mujer y sentir el temor de que su formación médica se retrase y se deteriore. Conclusiones: En una muestra de estudiantes de Medicina encuestados durante la pandemia de COVID-19, los problemas de salud mental fueron comunes. Los factores asociados con la salud mental reportados en este estudio podrían ser útiles para identificar a los estudiantes de Medicina vulnerables que requieran apoyo psicosocial y/o atención psiquiátrica oportuna.