Perceived stress associated with COVID-19 epidemic in Colombia: an online survey.

This study aimed to assess the prevalence and variables related to perceived stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of Colombian adults using a designed online cross-sectional survey. Adults answered a version of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) modified for COVID-19 (PSS-10-C), with Cronbach alpha equal to 0.86. In total, 406 individuals aged between 19 and 88 years (M = 43.9; SD = 12.4) agreed to participate in the survey: 61.8% were females, 90.6% had a university degree, 44.1% were health professionals, and 45.7% considered public health policies for preventing the spread of the disease inconsistent with scientific recommendations. PSS-10-C scores ranged from 0 to 36 (M = 16.5; SD = 7.3); 58 individuals (14.3%) scored for high perceived stress (cut-off point = 25). The inconsistency between policies and scientific evidence was significantly related to high perception of stress associated with COVID-19 (OR = 2.36; 95%CI: 1.32-4.20), after adjusting for gender. We concluded that the study group presented the prevalence of perceived stress associated with COVID-19 at high levels, arising from the inconsistent strategies developed by health authorities in view of scientific recommendations. Further researches must address the psychosocial aspects of epidemics.

Perceived stress associated with COVID-19 epidemic in Colombia: an online survey / Estrés percibido relacionado con la epidemia de COVID-19 en Colombia: una encuesta en línea / Percepção de estresse relacionado à epidemia da COVID-19 na Colômbia: uma pesquisa eletrônica

Abstract: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and variables related to perceived stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of Colombian adults using a designed online cross-sectional survey. Adults answered a version of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) modified for COVID-19 (PSS-10-C), with Cronbach alpha equal to 0.86. In total, 406 individuals aged between 19 and 88 years (M = 43.9; SD = 12.4) agreed to participate in the survey: 61.8% were females, 90.6% had a university degree, 44.1% were health professionals, and 45.7% considered public health policies for preventing the spread of the disease inconsistent with scientific recommendations. PSS-10-C scores ranged from 0 to 36 (M = 16.5; SD = 7.3); 58 individuals (14.3%) scored for high perceived stress (cut-off point = 25). The inconsistency between policies and scientific evidence was significantly related to high perception of stress associated with COVID-19 (OR = 2.36; 95%CI: 1.32-4.20), after adjusting for gender. We concluded that the study group presented the prevalence of perceived stress associated with COVID-19 at high levels, arising from the inconsistent strategies developed by health authorities in view of scientific recommendations. Further researches must address the psychosocial aspects of epidemics.

Resumen: El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer la prevalencia, y algunas variables asociadas con el estrés percibido relacionado con la epidemia de COVID-19, en una muestra de adultos colombianos. Los autores diseñaron una encuesta transversal en línea. Los adultos respondieron una versión modificada de la Escala de Estrés Percibido (Perceived Stress Scale, por su siglas en inglés PSS-10); relacionado con la COVID-19 (PSS-10-C) y su alfa de Cronbach fue 0,86. Un total de 406 encuestados aceptaron participar. Las edades de los encuestados oscilaban entre los 19 y los 88 años (M = 43,9; DE = 12,4). Un 61,8% eran mujeres, un 90,6% con educación universitaria, un 44,1% trabajadores del sector salud, y un 45,7% de los participantes consideraron que las políticas públicas de salud para prevenir la propagación de la epidemia no se adecuaron a las recomendaciones científicas. El PSS-10-C tuvo una puntuación entre 0 y 36 (M = 16,5; DE = 7,3); un total de 58 participantes (14,3%) obtuvieron una puntuación para alto estrés percibido (punto de corte en 25). La inconsistencia entre las políticas tomadas y las evidencias científicas estuvo significativamente asociada con un alto estrés percibido, en relación con el COVID-19 (OR = 2,36; 95%CI: 1,32-4,20), tras realizar un ajuste por sexo. En conclusión, es alta la prevalencia del estrés percibido relacionado con el COVID-19 en esta muestra de personas colombianas. El estrés alto está relacionado con la percepción de inconsistencia entre los acuerdos de las autoridades de salud y las recomendaciones científicas. Asimismo, se necesitan más investigaciones enfocadas en los aspectos psicosociales de la epidemia.

Resumo: O estudo teve como objetivo conhecer a prevalência e algumas variáveis associadas à percepção de estresse relacionado à pandemia da COVID-19 em uma amostra de adultos colombianos. Os autores desenharam um estudo transversal. Os adultos responderam a uma versão modificada da Perceived Stress Scale para a COVID-19 (PSS-10-C), que apresentou alfa de Cronbach de 0,86. Um total de 406 adultos concordou em participar. A idade dos participantes variava de 19 a 88 anos (M = 43,9, DP = 12,4). 61,8% eram mulheres, 90,6% tinham bolsas de estudo, 44,1% eram profissionais de saúde e 45,7% achavam que as políticas de saúde pública para prevenir a propagação da epidemia não estavam de acordo com as recomendações cientificas. A pontuação da PSS-10-C variava entre 0 e 36 (M = 16,5; DP = 7,3); um total de 58 participantes (14,3%) tiveram pontuação alta para estresse percebido (ponto de corte de 25). A inconsistência entre as políticas adotadas e as evidências científicas mostraram uma associação significativa com alta percepção de estresse relacionado à COVID-19 (OR = 2,36; IC95%: 1,32-4,20), depois de ajustar para o gênero. O estudo conclui que havia alta prevalência de estresse percebido relacionado à COVID-19 nessa amostra de adultos colombianos. O estresse alto está relacionado à percepção de inconsistência entre as propostas das autoridades sanitárias e as recomendações científicas. São necessários mais estudos para tratar dos aspectos psicossociais das epidemias.