Title
Quality of Life and Depressive Symptoms Among Peruvian University Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Date Issued
23 February 2022
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Publisher(s)
Frontiers Media S.A.
Abstract
Objective: To determine the factors associated with quality of life and depressive symptoms in Peruvian university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Multicentre study in 1,634 students recruited by convenience sampling. The quality of life (QoL) was assessed with the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions at three levels (EQ-5D-3L) and depressive symptoms with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). To assess factors associated with QoL and depressive symptoms, linear regressions and fitted regressions were used, with robust coefficients of variance information (β). Results: A 345 (21.1%) reported problems in performing daily activities, 544 (33.3%) reported pain and discomfort, 772 (47.2%) were moderately/very anxious or depressed. Furthermore, 207 (12.7%) had moderate-severe and severe depressive symptoms. Men reported better QoL than women (β: 3.2; 95% CI: 1.1, 5.4; p = 0.004) and fewer depressive symptoms (β: −0.7; 95% CI: −1.3, −0.2; p = 0.011). Ayacucho’s residents had more depressive symptoms than Ancash’s residents (β: 0.8; 95% CI: 0.1, 1.5; p = 0.022) and Piura’s residents had fewer depressive symptoms than Ancash’s residents (β: −1.195% CI: −1.8, −0.3, p = 0.005). Students who left home during quarantine reported more depressive symptoms (β: 0.7, 95% CI: 0.2, 1.2, p = 0.006). Conclusion: Problems performing daily activities, pain and discomfort, as well as mild to severe depressive symptoms were found in more than three-quarters of the sample. Authorities could consider depression care to improve quality of life in regions where high rates of infection occurred during the pandemic.
Volume
13
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Salud pública, Salud ambiental
Psiquiatría
Subjects
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85126657362
Source
Frontiers in Psychology
ISSN of the container
16641078
Sponsor(s)
This study was funded by the Universidad Peruana Unión (UPU).
This study was funded by the Universidad Peruana Uni?n (UPU).
Sources of information:
Directorio de Producción Científica
Scopus