Mistreatment and cyberbullying associated with self-esteem in medical students at a Peruvian university during the COVID-19 outbreak

Introduction: Abuse and cyberbullying have existed for a long time, however, the pandemic could be a risk factor that negatively impacts the self-esteem of medical students. The objective of this study was to determine the association between mistreatment and cyberbullying with self-esteem in medical students at a Peruvian university during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: Observational study, analytical type, carried out in 271 students from first to sixth year in a Peruvian medical school. The presence of abuse, cyberbullying and self-esteem were evaluated using the Perception of Abuse Questionnaire in Medical Students, the European Cyberbullying Intervention Project Questionnaire Spanish version (ECIPQ) and the Rosemberg Self-esteem Scale, respectively. Bivariate using the chi square test (significance level of p < 0.05). Results: The perception of psychological abuse was 237 (87.50%), academic 237 (87.50%), and sexual 136 (50.90%);67 (24.70%) of cybervictims, 35 (13.70%) of cyberbullies, and 35 (13.30%) of victimized cyberbullies were found;the majority of students had an average self-esteem of 111 (41.69%). The level of global self-esteem was significantly associated with the presence of psychological (p = 0.001), academic (p = 0.018) and sexual abuse (p = 0.000), but not with the presence of cybervictims (p = 0.090), cyberbullies (p = 0.107) and with the victimizing cyberbullies (p = 0.178). Conclusions: An association was found between the perception of psychological, academic and sexual abuse with the level of global self-esteem, in contrast, there was no evidence of the influence of cyberbullying on the self-esteem of the medical student. © 2022 The Authors

COVID-19 and Internet search trends on mental health concerns in Latin America

The COVID-19 pandemic has generated a global health crisis;mental health has been one of the most affected. The objective of this research was to determine the relationship between the number of new cases and daily deaths from COVID-19, as well as Internet search trends on mental health concerns in Latin America. Google Trends was used to determine the relative volume of searches. Regarding the number of new cases and daily deaths from COVID-19, the figures were obtained from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) dashboard, prepared by the World Health Organization. The evaluation period was from 12/01/2019 to 01/31/2021. The Pearson correlation coefficient with significance level of p < 0.05 was used to obtain the correlation between quantitative variables. The most searched terms in the selected countries were «anxiety» and «unemployment». The correlation analysis showed that the relative search volume of the evaluated terms had slight to moderate correlation with the number of confirmed cases and daily deaths from COVID-19. Slight to moderate correlation was found between the relative search volume of the evaluated terms and the total number of confirmed cases and deaths per day due to COVID-19. © 2022, Centro Nacional de Informacion de Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN THE PRESENCE OF STRESS, DEPRESSION AND/OR SUICIDAL IDEATION AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN PERUVIAN MEDICAL STUDENTS AMID THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Introduction: Mental health is a priority public health problem, with medical students being a group susceptible of suffering from mental disorders. Objective: To determine the association between, on the one hand, the presence of depression, stress and/or suicidal ideation and, on the other, the academic performance of medical students from a Peruvian university in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional, analytical and prospective study carried out in 241 students from 1st to 6th year of medicine. Data collection was carried out between March and May 2021. The presence and levels of stress, depression and risk of suicidal ideation were determined using the Perceived Stress Scale-14 (EEP-14), the Zung Scale for Depression (EZ-D) and the Beck Suicidal Ideation Scale (ISB), respectively;on the other hand, academic performance was evaluated with the Reyes Murillo learning assessment scale. A bivariate analysis was performed using the chi square test (significance level of p<0.05) to establish the association between the study variables. Results: Most of the students had an average academic performance (70.12%). The prevalence of depression, stress, and suicidal ideation was 33.61%, 94.19%, and 88.79%, respectively. Academic performance was significantly associated with the presence of depression (p=0.018), but not with the presence of stress (p=0.669), or risk of suicidal ideation (p=0.438). Conclusions: Only depression was significantly associated with academic performance, although its prevalence was much lower than stress or suicidal ideation, so it is necessary for the university to implement strategies aimed at improving the mental health of this population;this will not only improve its quality of life, but also its academic performance.

COVID-19 and its relationship with vulnerable populations

Scopus, Medline, SciELO, and the Google Scholar search engine. Websites of the Ministries of Health, WHO, PAHO, INFOMED and national and international web pages were also explored. The quality, reliability and validity of the selected articles were analyzed to carry out an adequate review. Development: In the different vulnerable groups analyzed, the increased risk of contagion and the development of severe stages due to SARS-CoV-2 infection was evidenced. There is still no consensus regarding the management and treatment of COVID-19 in older adults, people with comorbidity and immunosuppressed. Conclusions: Vulnerable populations will be more affected by this pandemic;it is essential to develop equitable and egalitarian health policies in these groups. Introduction: Currently, it is worth reflecting on who is most vulnerable to pandemics. Although it is true that COVID-19 has the potential to impact everyone in society, it will be greater in vulnerable populations. Objective: To describe the relationship of COVID-19 in vulnerable populations. Material and Method: A bibliographic review was made from a total of 84 bibliographic references. Scientific articles in electronic format in English and Spanish were used;they were available from databases such as PubMed, © 2020 Universidad de Ciencias Medicas de La Hab. All rights reserved.

Exploratory analysis of internet search trends during the COVID-19 outbreak

Coronavirus disease 2019 has put the world in a health emergency. Searching for information on the Internet largely reflects people's interest in this pandemic. Objective: Conduct an exploratory analysis of Internet search trends during the 2019 coronavirus disease outbreak. Methods: Google Trends was used to provide data on the relative volume of Google searches for terms related to 2019 coronavirus disease. The evaluation period was from January 01 to May 17, 2020. Results: The search term used to know this pandemic was “coronavirus”, the most searched symptom was “fever”, followed by “sore throat” and “cough”, in addition, the interest of users to know the transmission routes of the acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. As for preventive measures, the most searched term was “stay home”, followed by “facial masks”, “social distancing” and “washing hands”. Conclusions: The results confirmed interest in COVID-19 via Internet. Using information from people's Internet search interest could help formulate health policies to better control the 2019 coronavirus disease outbreak. © 2020, Centro Nacional de Informacion de Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.