Women's mental health in times of COVID-19

Abstract

Approximately nine months ago, the world population began to have negative experiences regarding to the spread of a respiratory virus, called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This virus is the etiological agent of COVID-19, a disease considered responsible for one of the worst outbreaks experienced by humanity. 1 Not long ago, the COVID-19 pandemic affected the most diverse social strata in Brazil, which was the first country in Latin America with reported case. 1 Due to the severe transmissibility, morbidity and mortality associated with the scarcity of knowledge about the pathogenesis of the virus and of the effective treatments, preventive measures and recommendations were installed to contain the spread of the disease. 2 The restriction of social coexistence, represented by social distancing, the mandatory use of masks and frequent hand washing, were some of the tools used, varying in intensity according to the health policies of each government. 1 In this context of social mitigation, feelings of fear and anguish resulting from the pandemic are afflicted and, connected to the yearning for a possible infection, becoming triggers for clinical manifestations of psychopathologies. 3 On the other hand, among the impacts of the presence of psychic disorders is the impairment of quality of life, resulting from the reduction or complete loss of productivity in daily activities and/or in the maintenance of social relations. 3 Thus, one can consider that mental disorders and social distancing have a twoway cause and effect relationship.Recent research has shown a higher prevalence of symptoms for stress, anxiety and depression in the female population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the social distancing variable, female emotional vulnerability was both linked to hormonal changes during the pre-menstrual, pre and postpartum, and menopause periods, and to gender inequalities, which strengthen work overloads and violence against women. 3 Parallel to the consolidation of social restrictions, the rates of domestic, sexual, and unwanted pregnancy have increased 1 as a result of men spending longer time at home, which contributes to the significant prevalence of psychic clinical conditions in women during this period.In addition, the following variables stand out as possible risk factors for the impairment of the female population's mental health during social isolation: being a young adult, residing in regions with high rates of cases and mortality of COVID-19, having a history of anxiety and depression, taking medication, reduced or absent of physical activity and leisure, and being unemployed.In view of the significant impact of COVID-19, the world governments are prioritizing the consolidation of measures to control and combat this new disease and, despite the effectiveness of these resources, effects arising indirectly of the pandemic are being overshadowed, such as the impairment of mental health in the female population. Therefore, the necessity to create proactive strategies of ...

Factors associated with stress, anxiety, and depression during social distancing in Brazil

“…Being of female gender, living abroad, practicing no leisure and physical activities, and being unemployed were the most relevant factors associated with signs and symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. As suggested by Brazilian researchers 38 , variables such as these can be used to develop federally-funded programs aiming at improving mental health by promoting psychotherapy activities and educational and recreational endeavors, stimulating physical exercise, and providing guidelines for the online workspace, particularly for helping women. Authorities should also promote and encourage video calls between Brazilians residing abroad and their friends and family as a means of communicating and establishing emotional bonds.…”

Clinical outcomes and quality of life of COVID-19 survivors: A follow-up of 3 months post hospital discharge

“… 3 ; 4 ; 5 ; 6 ; 7 ; 8 ; 9 ; 10 ; 11 ; 12 ; 13 ; 14 ; 15 ; 16 ; 17 ; 18 ; 20 ; 21 ; 22 ; 23 ; 24 ; 25 ; 26 ; 27 ; 28 .…”

Promoção Da Saúde Em Um Grupo Online Com Gestantes E Puérperas Para O Enfrentamento Da Covid-19

“…No que se diz respeito à assistência pré-natal, além da importância para a saúde materna e fetal, durante todo o acompanhamento gestacional é reforçado o vínculo da grávida com o profissional de saúde, trazendo assim, vantagens emocionais, uma vez que a futura mãe se sente mais acolhida pela equipe e mais confiante sobre a gestação. Diante desse contexto, é de extrema importância a preocupação com os cuidados às gestantes e puérperas, visto que muitas que já apresentavam dificuldades de acesso ao pré-natal de qualidade, viu esse cenário piorar nesse período de pandemia (FONTANA et al, 2017;SOUZA et al, 2020;BRASIL, 2020).…”