This pandemic has been classified as a “psychological pandemic” that produces anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and sleep disorders. As the mental health effects of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, continue to unfold, there are still large knowledge gaps about the variables that predispose individuals to, or protect individuals against the disease. However, there are few publications on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of citizens in Latin American countries. In this study, the effects that COVID-19 had on citizens of Peru have been described. For this, 1699 questionnaires, collected between 2 April and 2 September 2020, were analyzed. Descriptive, bivariate analysis was performed with odds ratio (OR) calculations and a data mining methodology. Sociodemographic variables (from the General Health Questionnaire), health conditions and perception, symptoms, and variables related to contact and preventive measures regarding COVID-19 were analyzed. As compared to other countries, less affectation of mental health and increased use of preventive measures were observed. It has been suggested that the country’s precarious health system and poverty rates prior to the pandemic may justify higher mortality figures in Peru than in other Latin American countries, despite prompt action for its containment and compliance with the protective measures. Psychological distress had a greater incidence in women, young people, people without a partner, and people without university studies. The most significant conditioning variables were self-perceived health status, headache or muscle pain over the past 14 days, level of studies, and age. The extensive use of preventive measures against COVID-19 is in line with the strict legislative measures taken, and this is, in turn, in line with other countries when looking at the lower effect on mental health, but contrary when focusing on the high lethality identified. The need to include the economy or availability and quality of healthcare in future studies arises, as well as the suitability to analyze the cause for differences between countries.

It is suspected that the information the population has about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) determines both its preventive measures and its effects on mental health. The internet and social media are the sources that have largely replaced the official and traditional channels of information. The objective of this study is to analyse the influence of the sources used by the population in Peru to obtain information on COVID-19 and its association with developing psychological distress (PD) and preventive measures against contagion.1699 questionnaires were analysed. A previously validated instrument adapted to Peru was used. Participants were questioned about the information received regarding COVID-19, its sources, time of exposition, assessment, or beliefs about it. Mental health was measured with the Goldberg General Health Questionnaire. Descriptive and bivariate analysis were performed, developing a classification and regression tree for PD based on beliefs and information about the pandemic.The most used source of information on COVID-19 in Peru was social media and this is associated with developing PD, both in the general population and among health professionals. The quality of the information about treatments for COVID-19 is associated with PD in the general population, whereas prognosis generates more distress among healthcare professionals. The biggest concern is transmitting the virus to family members, close persons, or patients, with more confidence in health professionals than in the health system.The health authorities should use the social media to transmit quality information about COVID-19 and, at the same time, to gather in real time the opinions on the implemented preventive measures. For all, this it is necessary to have higher credibility in the population to increase the confidence in the health system, looking at basic aspects for compliance with prevention measures and improvement of mental health.Abbreviations: CART = classification and regression tree, COVID-19 = coronavirus disease 2019, PD = psychological distress, SD = standard deviation.

No abstract

Los médicos ocupacionales determinan la aptitud laboral de los trabajadores a partir de la realización o revisión de los exámenes médicos ocupacionales para las empresas. Actualmente, el resultado en términos de aptitud está basado más en el sentido común que en el razonamiento científico. Ello debido a la falta de difusión adecuada de los derechos de las personas, a la incipiente aplicación de la Medicina basada en evidencia en la Medicina Ocupacional y del Medio Ambiente, a la falta de una valoración de las capacidades funcionales del trabajador según los riesgos del trabajo (profesiogramas) y a la diversidad de criterios empresariales, entre otras. Por lo tanto, es necesario una secuencia de criterios asociados a la legislación, a los clínicos ocupacionales, la evaluación del puesto de trabajo y las decisiones empresariales para asegurar la construcción del sustento para una decisión que puede afectar el futuro laboral de las personas. Si bien es cierto, los próximos protocolos o documentos técnicos asociados a la vigilancia de la salud de los trabajadores ayudarán a mitigar la actual situación, la decisión de brindar aptitud laboral siempre será consecuencia del análisis integral de los criterios propuestos.

No abstract