Your browser doesn't support javascript.
Psychological distress during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ecuador: Cross-sectional study.
Gómez-Salgado, Juan; Adanaque-Bravo, Ingrid; Ortega-Moreno, Mónica; Allande-Cussó, Regina; Arias-Ulloa, Cristian Arturo; Ruiz-Frutos, Carlos.
  • Gómez-Salgado J; Department of Sociology, Social Work and Public Health, Faculty of Labour Sciences, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain.
  • Adanaque-Bravo I; Safety and Health Postgraduate Programme, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Guayaquil, Ecuador.
  • Ortega-Moreno M; Faculty of Engineering in Mechanics and Production Sciences, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, Guayaquil, Ecuador.
  • Allande-Cussó R; Department of Economy, Faculty of Labour Sciences, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain.
  • Arias-Ulloa CA; Department of Nursing, University of Seville, Seville, Spain.
  • Ruiz-Frutos C; Safety and Health Postgraduate Programme, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Guayaquil, Ecuador.
PLoS One ; 16(9): e0257661, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1435619
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The effects of the COVID 19 pandemic on the mental health of citizens from Asia, Europe, or North America begin to be known, but there are fewer publications on its effects in Latin American countries. In this study, its impact in Ecuador is described, with data collected during the first phase of the pandemic. The objective of this study was to analyse the level of psychological distress in the population of Ecuador during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS AND

FINDINGS:

Cross-sectional observational study. The questionnaires were collected through an online self-developed questionnaire, between April 2 and May 17, 2020, using the non-probabilistic sampling

methodology:

snowball method. The variables considered were sociodemographic variables, physical symptoms, health status, COVID-19 contact history, preventive measures, and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). The percentage with high psychological distress (PD) (GHQ-12 ≥ 3) has been somewhat lower than that found in Europe, being women, young people, people with higher level of education, living without a partner, not living with children or children under 16 years of age, and with worse perception of health the groups with the highest PD. Differences have been observed with European studies regarding common symptoms, preventive measures to avoid contagion, percentage of infected relatives, or diagnostic tests performed.

CONCLUSIONS:

The use of the same research instrument, validated in Europe and adapted to Ecuador, has facilitated the comparison of the found results and differences, which can be explained by socio-economic or cultural variables, the health system, level of information, or by preventive measures put in place to prevent the pandemic.
Subject(s)

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pandemics / Psychological Distress / COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Child / Female / Humans / Male / Young adult Country/Region as subject: South America / Ecuador Language: English Journal: PLoS One Journal subject: Science / Medicine Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Journal.pone.0257661

Similar

MEDLINE

...
LILACS

LIS


Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pandemics / Psychological Distress / COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adolescent / Adult / Child / Female / Humans / Male / Young adult Country/Region as subject: South America / Ecuador Language: English Journal: PLoS One Journal subject: Science / Medicine Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Journal.pone.0257661