Experience with COVID-19 and mental health-related symptoms

Abstract

Aim: to identify the experience with COVID-19 and mental health-related symptoms of Brazilian adults from November to December 2021. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with online data collection and non-probabilistic sampling. Exploratory questionnaire and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale were used. Prevalence of those who have tested positive for COVID-19 or not according to demographic characteristics and mental health-related symptoms were estimated by 95% confidence interval. Prevalence according to symptomatology (asymptomatic, symptomatic without hospitalization, or symptomatic with hospitalization) was also estimated among individuals who tested positive. Participants' feelings and perceptions regarding the pandemic context were analyzed using Descendant Hierarchical Classification (DHC). Results: 4,665 people participated in the study (mean age=38.9 (standard deviation=14.1) years) and 18.3% reported having tested positive for COVID-19 (11.2% asymptomatic, 83.7% symptoms without hospitalization and 5.1% hospitalized). Symptomatic participants more frequently reported that the pandemic is a trauma while asymptomatic participants had significantly lower prevalence than those who have never tested positive for COVID-19. The sample presented a high prevalence of anxiety, anguish, fear, and insomnia. Prevalence of depressive symptoms was lower in participants who were asymptomatic than in those who have never tested positive for COVID-19 (OR=0.586 (CI95%=0.390-0.879)). Overall, mean score of depression, anxiety, and stress of the asymptomatic participants were lower than those obtained in other groups. Conclusion: Mental health symptoms were highly prevalent in the Brazilian adults. Emotional decompression was found among those who have tested positive for COVID-19 and were asymptomatic compared to those who have never tested positive for COVID-19.