Online assessment of the perception of loneliness and associated factors in Colombian climacteric women during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has generated changes due to confinement, this measure can increase the perception of loneliness. The objective was to estimate the frequencies of emotional, social and general loneliness and their association with fear and anxiety with COVID-19, religiosity and severe deterioration of quality of life in middle-aged women. Methods: A cross-sectional study in Colombian women (40-59 y, n=984) surveyed with an electronic form that included sociodemographic characteristics and validated measures (Menopause Rating Scale, de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, fear of COVID-19 scale, Coronavirus Anxiety Scale and Francis Scale for Religiosity). Associations of emotional, social and general loneliness (dependent variables) with severe somatic, psychological, urogenital and quality of life deterioration, as well as with high religiosity, anxiety and high fear of COVID-19 (independent variables), were estimated. Results: The median age was 47 years old, and 39.2% [95% CI: 36.2-42.3] postmenopausal. Severe deterioration in somatic, psychological, urogenital domains and quality of life in women with emotional, social and general loneliness was found (P <0.001). In adjusted models, high fear of COVID-19, severe deterioration of psychological and urogenital domains and quality of life were associated with emotional, social and general loneliness. Anxiety with COVID-19, somatic domain and high religiosity were not associated with loneliness. Conclusion: Emotional, social and general loneliness were identified in 4/10 middle-aged Colombian women surveyed, and the associated factors were high fear of COVID-19, severe deterioration of quality of life and psychological and urogenital domains. Professionals who care for climacteric women should explore the perception of loneliness when assessing menopausal symptoms.

Perceived Loneliness and Severe Sleep Disorders in Adult Women during the Covid-19 Quarantine: A Cross-Sectional Study in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Quarantine is a measure to control COVID-19 spread, resulting in an increased perception of loneliness. In turn, sleep disorders (SD) may be more frequently reported in uncertain circumstances. OBJECTIVES: To identify the association between loneliness and severe SD, in women quarantined due to the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study carried out in women, between 40 and 79 years and living in Colombia. The women were invited through social network to complete 5 digital instruments: de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale, Menopause Rating Scale, Fear of COVID-19 Five-item Version, Coronavirus Anxiety Scale, and Francis Religion Scale. Bivariate analysis and adjusted logistic regression between loneliness and SD were performed. RESULTS: 1133 women participated, half of them under 50 years old. 43.1% had emotional loneliness, 39.9% social loneliness and 43.3% general loneliness. SD were identified in 6 out of 10 women, those with mild SD presented an OR of 1.84, 1.85, and 1.64, for emotional, social and general loneliness, respectively. Loneliness was associated twice with moderate SD, and more than twice with severe SD. Very severe SD reached OR:5.81 for emotional loneliness, OR:4.38 social loneliness and OR:4.02 general loneliness. In the presence of religiosity, fear and anxiety due to COVID-19, statistical significance was retained for associations, except intense SD with general loneliness. CONCLUSIONS: SD were significantly associated with loneliness in our study population. It is important to assess sleep quality and perception of loneliness in middle-aged women, especially during periods of quarantine due to a pandemic to avoid health implications.

Percepción de discriminación en un grupo de médicos generales colombianos durante la pandemia del COVID-19 y su relación con factores laborales y psicológicos / Perception of discrimination in a group of colombian general practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic and its relation to labor and psychological factors

RESUMEN Objetivo: Estimar la frecuencia de percepción de discriminación y su asociación con estrés laboral, ansiedad y miedo al COVID-19 en médicos generales colombianos. Métodos: Estudio transversal que perteneciente al proyecto Dinámicas Psicosociales Universitarias, con aval institucional de la Universidad de Cartagena. Un grupo de médicos generales colombianos fue invitado por redes sociales a diligenciar, los primeros cinco días de abril de2020, un formulario de Google Forms© con preguntas sobre miedo y opiniones respecto al COVID-19 con las herramientas Test de Estrés Laboral, Generalized Anxiety Disorder y Fear of COVID-19 Scale. El estudio fue anónimo y voluntario con aceptación de términos y consentimiento informado. Para el análisis de la información se conformaron dos grupos: con percepción de discriminación y sin percepción de discriminación, según respuesta a la pregunta "Haber tenido percepción de discriminación por su condición de médico". Se realizó regresión logística entre percepción de discriminación con ansiedad, estrés laboral y miedo al COVID-19. Resultados: Participaron 531 médicos colombianos, la mitad entre 20-30 años; 207 (39 %) informaron percepción de discriminación. La ansiedad, estrés y miedo relacionados con la pandemia y la labor profesional fueron altamente prevalentes y más frecuentes en el grupo con percepción de discriminación (p<0.05). La presencia y severidad de ansiedad, estrés y miedo al COVID-19 se asociaron con mayor presencia de percepción de discriminación, mientras que sentirse protegido por sus superiores laborales se asoció con menor percepción de discriminación. Conclusión: Dos de cada cinco participantes informaron PPD; fenómeno social que se asoció con ansiedad, estrés y miedo durante la pandemia por COVID-19.

ABSTRACT Objective: To estimate the frequency of perception of discrimination and its association with occupational stress, anxiety and fear of COVID-19 in Colombian general practitioners. Methods: Cross-sectional study that belongs to Dinámicas Psicosociales Universitarias project with institutional endorsement from the Universidad de Cartagena, Colombia. A group of Colombian general practitioners was invited by social networks to fill out, on the first five days of April-2020, a Google Forms © form with questions about fear and opinions regarding COVID-19 with the tools Test of Labor Stress, Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Fear of COVID-19 Scale. The study was anonymous and voluntary with acceptance of terms and informed consent. For the analysis of the information, two groups were formed: with perception of discrimination and without perception of discrimination, according to the answer to the question "Having had perception of discrimination due to their condition as a physician". Logistic regression was performed between perception of discrimination with anxiety, occupational stress and fear of COVID-19. Results: 531 Colombian doctors participated, half between 20-30 years. 207 (39%) reported perceived discrimination. Pandemic-related anxiety, stress and fear and professional work were highly prevalent and more frequent in the group with perceived discrimination (p <0.05). The presence and severity of anxiety, stress and fear of COVID-19 were associated with a greater presence of discrimination perception, while feeling protected by their work superiors was associated with a lower perception of discrimination. Conclusion: Two out of five participants reported perception of discrimination, a social phenomenon that was associated with anxiety, stress and fear during the COVID-19 pandemic.