Department of Sociology, Social Work and Public Health, Faculty of Labour Sciences, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain.
Safety and Health Postgraduate Programme, Universidad Espíritu Santo, Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Ann Med. 2022 Dec;54(1):2246-2258. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2022.2109057.
Several studies have highlighted the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on both physical and mental health. The aim of this study is to analyse the effects on mental health in two phases of the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2020 and February 2021) in the population of Colombia.
Observational, prospective, cross-sectional study along two periods, April 2020 and February 2021. The sample ( = 1309) was extracted from the Colombian population, only including individuals over the age of 18 and residing in Colombia during the pandemic. The IMPACTCOVID-19 questionnaire was used, previously validated in Spain and cross-culturally adapted to the Colombian population, which included sociodemographic data, use of preventive measures, information received and the Goldberg General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) for psychological distress (PD). Participants had to sign an informed consent before taking part in the investigation.
A higher level of PD was observed among women ( = 3.99, SD = 3.39) ( < .001), in those who lived without a partner ( = 3.83, SD = 3.47) ( = .036), and in those with a worse perception of health ( = 6.27, SD = 3.51) ( < .001). PD decreased in the second period from = 3.99 (SD = 3.36) to = 2.98 (SD = 3.30) ( < .001), coinciding with a higher use of preventive measures, less distress caused by COVID-19 and greater confidence in healthcare professionals and clinical structures. In the second period, the time spent in getting informed decreased, but the sources of information were the same, principally social media and official sources.
Better information on the effects and preventive measures to prevent the pandemic improves confidence in the health system and its professionals, reducing the level of PD. There is a need for quality information on social networks and an adaptation of telemedicine to address the pandemic effects on mental health.Key messagesPsychological distress (PD) decreased in February 2021, as compared to April 2020, due to a greater use of preventive measures against COVID-19, and the confidence on the recommendations made by health officials and professionals.Higher PD has been found in women and people who lived without a partner, in line with studies performed in other countries.The accessibility to quality information on the pandemic should be promoted by the Official Health Authorities, thus counteracting data that could be classified as "fake news".
多项研究强调了 COVID-19 大流行对身心健康的影响。本研究的目的是分析 COVID-19 大流行两个阶段（2020 年 4 月和 2021 年 2 月）对哥伦比亚人群心理健康的影响。
这是一项观察性、前瞻性、横断面研究，分为两个时期，即 2020 年 4 月和 2021 年 2 月。样本（n=1309）取自哥伦比亚人群，仅包括年龄在 18 岁及以上、在大流行期间居住在哥伦比亚的个体。使用了先前在西班牙验证并跨文化适应于哥伦比亚人群的 IMPACTCOVID-19 问卷，该问卷包括社会人口统计学数据、预防措施的使用、收到的信息以及用于心理困扰（PD）的 Goldberg 一般健康问卷（GHQ-12）。参与者在参与调查前必须签署知情同意书。
女性（n=3.99，SD=3.39）（p<0.001）、独居者（n=3.83，SD=3.47）（p=0.036）和自我健康感知较差者（n=6.27，SD=3.51）（p<0.001）的 PD 水平更高。PD 在第二阶段从 n=3.99（SD=3.36）下降至 n=2.98（SD=3.30）（p<0.001），这与预防措施的使用增加、COVID-19 造成的困扰减少以及对医疗保健专业人员和临床结构的信心增强有关。在第二阶段，获取信息的时间减少，但信息来源相同，主要是社交媒体和官方来源。
更好地了解大流行的影响和预防措施可提高对卫生系统及其专业人员的信心，从而降低 PD 水平。需要在社交网络上提供高质量的信息，并调整远程医疗以应对大流行对心理健康的影响。
与 2020 年 4 月相比，2021 年 2 月的 PD 有所下降，这是由于 COVID-19 预防措施的使用增加，以及对卫生官员和专业人员建议的信心增强所致。
在女性和独居者中发现了更高的 PD，这与其他国家的研究结果一致。
应促进官方卫生当局提供有关大流行的高质量信息，从而抵制可能被归类为“假新闻”的数据。
