Quality of life and depressive symptoms among Peruvian university students during the COVID-19 pandemic
Abstract
Objectives
Characterize the quality of life and depressive symptoms of university students in Peru during the COVID-19 pandemic and to determine the associated factors.
Methods
Multi-centre study in 1634 university students recruited by convenience sampling. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed with the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions at three levels (EQ-5D-3L) and depressive symptoms with the Patient Health Questionarie-9 (PHQ-9). To evaluate factors associated with QoL and depressive symptoms, linear and adjusted regressions were used, with robust variance reporting coefficients (β).
Results
The percentage of participants most affected by QoL dimension was: anxiety/depression (47.2%) and pain/discomfort (35.6%). Regarding the Visual Analog Scale (EQ-VAS) of QoL, the score was 76.0 + 25.6. Those who had family economic decline during quarantine (β=-3.4, IC95%=-6.5 to −0.3) or family with chronic diseases (β=-3.7, IC95%=-6.1 to −1.4) presented significantly lower scores in their QoL. Regarding depressive symptomatology, the university students reported a moderate to severe level (28.9%). A higher risk of depressive symptoms was found in residents of Ayacucho (β=0.8, IC95%=0.1 to 1.5), those who were released from quarantine (β=0.7, IC95%=0.2 to 1.2) and those who had a family member with chronic disease (β=1.5, IC95%=1.0 to 2.1).
Conclusions
Almost half and one third of participants reported anxiety/depression, and pain/discomfort in their QoL respectively. Nearly a third presented moderate and severe depressive symptoms. The deterioration of QoL was worse in those who had a decrease in income and a family member with chronic illness. The presence of depressive symptoms was found in students in Ayacucho, those who left home during quarantine and those who had a family member with chronic diseases.
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