[Depression, anxiety and stress in primary health care users during coronavirus lockdown]

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Social distancing and lockdown imposed by the world governments as a result of the coronavirus pandemic declaration has resulted in a perfect scenario to the appearance of mental disorders. OBJECTIVE: To identify the levels of anxiety, depression and stress (emotional affective state) that people assigned to a primary health care clinic present during the lockdown. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The DASS-21 questionnaire was administered to 150 pacients at the principal entry door of a family medicine unit of the Mexican Institute for Social Security, located in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, between April and May 2020. In addition, the internal validity test of the questionnaire was estimated using Cronbach's alpha, and also an association analysis was estimated using Pearson's chi squared test. RESULTS: The internal validity analysis indicated that the questionnaire is acceptable in its general version Cronbach's alpha = 0.907. However, at the subscales level it is barely acceptable. The results indicated that 42% of the sample present some type of mental disorder, with anxiety being the most persistent. In addition, the estimated levels vary according to sex, educational level and nutritional status. CONCLUSIONS: During periods of lockdown, mental problems tend to arise and get worse, which is why it is necessary to implement emotional support programs, especially for working women with obesity weight problems, because they are the most vulnerable group in the face of this situation.