The Mental Health of the Peruvian Older Adult during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

During the pandemic, the elderly population was the most exposed to disease and changes in their daily lives. The objective was to determine the association between demographic factors, access to health services, sources of information, and physical symptoms in the mental health of the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic—a study with 3828 older adults residing in nine cities in Peru. The data was collected using a web-based survey, and the instruments of demographic data; exposure to information (radio, television, and internet); and presence of physical symptoms, anxiety, and perceived stress were used. Descriptive and analytical analysis was performed. Female sex, those aged between 60 and 79 years old, those with secondary education, those in their own home, those residing in an urban area, and those using public services of health predominated in this study. Likewise, 62.9% presented depressive symptoms; on the stress scale, an average of 27.81 (SD = 8.71), and on the anxiety scale, an average of 27.24 (SD = 6.04). Moreover, 65.1% reported fatigue, 62.2% had a headache, and 61.2% lack of energy. There is an association between demographic variables and the physical and psychological symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in the elderly during the pandemic.

Sociodemographic and Clinical Determinants of Suicidal Ideation: An Analysis in a Peruvian Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Unit

“…The availability and accessibility of social security systems, as well as post-retirement socio-economic conditions, could play a fundamental role in retirees' mental health. The lack of social support and the perception of loss of status and social connection may contribute to psychological stress (40).…”

Factors associated with adherence to antihypertensive agents in the older adult

“…Trujillo is the province with the largest older population 13 ; therefore, 11 of its districts were considered. The studio data is stored in Mendeley Data 14 .…”

Impact of COVID-19 on quality of life in Peruvian older adults: construct validity, reliability and invariance of the COV19—Impact on Quality of Life (COV19-QoL) measurement

“…In response to the COVID-19 health emergency, on March 15, 2020, the Peruvian government declared a state of national emergency due to the outbreak of COVID-19, establishing mandatory social immobilization, restrictions on commercial, cultural, sporting and recreational activities, temporary closure of borders and reduction of land and air transportation, restriction of various rights such as freedom, personal safety and inviolability of the home, mandatory use of masks to circulate on public roads and in indoor places, as well as social distancing, frequent hand washing, among others (Fhon et al, 2022). The Peruvian government considered older adults as a vulnerable population to COVID-19 (especially older adults with chronic diseases such as diabetes, arterial hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, etc.)…”