Longitudinal study about the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in a southern Brazilian state: the PAMPA cohort

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the effects of social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic on physical and mental health, chronic disease management, and economic situation in adults from a southern Brazilian state. Data from the baseline of the PAMPA (Prospective Study About Mental and Physical Health) cohort, a populationbased, longitudinal study is presented. An online-based questionnaire was used to assess the variables pre-and during social distancing. Most of the respondents (N=2,321)were women (76.7%), white (90.6%), had at least university degree (66.7%), and were overweight or obese (53.3%). Nearly 40% were not able to work from home and 45.3% had monthly income reduced during social distancing. Moderate-to-severe symptoms of depression and anxiety increased 7.3x and 8.4x from before to during social distancing.Three quarters reported low back pain (74.2%; 95%CI: 71.9%, 76.3%) during the same period while the prevalence of physical inactivity increased 31.2%. Managing chronic conditions was harder during social distancing for 28.5% of the participants. Roughly 40% reported that did not seek medical assistance even when necessary during this period. COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the health of adults from a southern Brazilian state in several aspects.

Care seek behavior for low back pain in southern Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic: a panel data analysis

“…However, SUS is the leading healthcare source for the low-income population [ 17 ]. Since most of our study sample is highly educated and consequently from mid- or high-income [ 10 ] and, in the private system, people are allowed to seek PT without a GP referral, this might explain the high proportion of participants who sought a PT before the pandemic. Also, although exercise interventions are one of the main strategies recommended to prevent and manage LBP, exercise professionals are usually not reported in the literature [ 9 ].…”

“…The institutional ethics board approved the study (protocol: 4.093.170). Details regarding the study design and methodology can be found elsewhere [ 10 ].…”

“…Sociodemographic (sex, age, ethnicity, and marital status), economic (decreased monthly income), behavioral (physical activity), health (chronic diseases and symptoms of anxiety and depression), and work status were used as covariates in adjusted analyses [ 10 ]. Physical activity was assessed by days per week and minutes per day of activities performed on the leisure time in the last seven days.…”