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 años. 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 años 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.