COVID-19 Syndemic, Government, and Impact on Mental Health: A Brazilian Reality

Cândido, Estelita Lima; Júnior, Jucier Gonçalves

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.671449

Cited by 8 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 14 publications

(13 reference statements)

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“…The Covid-19 pandemic has affected the sociodemographic strata of the population differently. In addition, the impacts of the pandemic on behaviours and health vary around the world and according to the strategies adopted by different countries to mitigate or eliminate the virus [ 5 , 44 , 45 ]. In Brazil, the pandemic started in a context of political and economic crisis, which led the less favoured socioeconomic strata and the youngest individuals to be the most affected by the Covid-19 outbreak [ 33 , 46 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Severe depression symptoms before Covid-19 were reported by 3.9% of the population and increased to 29.1% amid the pandemic [ 48 ]. Historically, the South region presents one of the highest prevalence of depressive disorders in Brazil [ 49 , 50 ], and the impacts of Covid-19 pandemic can further increase the population’s mental health problems [ 44 , 45 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Alcohol Consumption and Smoking During Covid-19 Pandemic: Association with Sociodemographic, Behavioral, and Mental Health Characteristics

et al. 2022

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The Covid-19 pandemic is related to increased alcohol consumption and smoking. These behaviors may be related to several sociodemographic, behavioral and mental health factors. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the association between alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking with sociodemographic, behavioral and mental health characteristics. This study used data from two population-based studies conducted in two cities from Southern Brazil amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Individuals aged 18 years or older were included and selected using a multistage sampling procedure. Alcohol consumption and smoking and changes in such consumption during the Covid-19 pandemic were evaluated. Sociodemographic, behavioral, pandemic-related, and mental health variables were also included. A hierarchical model was used to conduct the adjusted analyses, and Poisson regression with robust adjustment was used for variance. A total of 2170 individuals were studied. The prevalence of alcohol consumption and smoking were 9.3% and 14.2%, respectively. The rates of increase in alcohol consumption and smoking during the Covid-pandemic were about 20% and 30%, respectively. They were higher among those with depressive symptoms, feeling of sadness and self-reported stress. Those with poor diet quality had higher prevalence of alcohol consumption (PR: 1.82) and were 1.58 times more likely to smoke. The findings may help stakeholders in health and political systems to better understand the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic and develop strategies to mitigate these consequences in Brazil and elsewhere. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10900-022-01085-5.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alcohol Consumption and Smoking During Covid-19 Pandemic: Association with Sociodemographic, Behavioral, and Mental Health Characteristics

et al. 2022

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“…To describe how COVID-19 clusters with these pre-existing conditions and interacts with them, the concept of syndemic has been proposed [28]. Syndemic is not merely a comorbidity, but it is characterized by "biological and social interactions between conditions and states, interactions that increase a person's susceptibility to harm or worsen their health outcomes" [29]. From this perspective, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic should be considered in terms not only of significant morbidity and mortality directly caused by the SARS-CoV-2 infection but also of its indirect effects on health, particularly on mental health.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on Youth Mental Health: A Narrative Review

et al. 2022

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Background: COVID-19 pandemic has affected the physical health, psychological wellbeing, and mental health of the whole population. Young people are among those most at risk of developing mental health symptoms or disorders related to the pandemic. Purpose: the present narrative review is aimed at providing an updated overview of the current literature concerning the psychological impact of the SARS-CoV-2 infection but also of the COVID-19 outbreak, environmental restriction, and social distancing on mental health outcomes among the youth population aged between 15 and 25 years. Methods: in December 2021, an electronic search on this topic was performed on PubMed. Relevant publications from January 2020 until December 2021 were included. Findings: 53 cross-sectional studies, 26 longitudinal studies, 4 ecological studies, 1 qualitative study, and 1 systematic review were included. We found many methodological limitations in the studies included, especially poor choice of study samples and short follow-ups. Little literature was in support of a strong relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and consequences on youth mental health. On the contrary, many studies showed how extraordinary measures to limit the spread of the virus have impacted young people in terms of onset of new mental disorders and symptoms, suicidality, and access to emergency psychiatric services. Depressive and anxiety symptoms and disorders show the greatest increase in incidence, especially in girls and young women. Conclusions: it seems important to pay attention to the mental health of young people in relation to the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, studies with more robust methodologies and longer follow-ups are needed to establish precise indications for targeted interventions in this context.

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“…The COVID-19 pandemic is a complex and multifaceted event, and it is even argued that it should be seen as a syndemic and not a pandemic ( Candido & Gonçalves, 2021 ). Its impacts will still be felt over the years and, perhaps, are irreparable in some aspects.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%