Mental disorder symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Zhang, SX; Batra, K; Xu, W; Liu, T; Dong, RK; Yin, A; Delios, AY; Chen, BZ; Chen, RZ; Miller, S; Wan, X; Ye, W; Chen, J

Mental disorder symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Zhang, SX Batra, K Xu, W Liu, T Dong, RK Yin, A Delios, AY Chen, BZ Chen, RZ Miller, S Wan, X Ye, W Chen, J

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Publisher:: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci, 2022, 31, pp. e23
Issue Date:: 2022-04-19

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Zhang, SX
dc.contributor.author	Batra, K
dc.contributor.author	Xu, W
dc.contributor.author	Liu, T
dc.contributor.author	Dong, RK
dc.contributor.author	Yin, A
dc.contributor.author	Delios, AY
dc.contributor.author	Chen, BZ
dc.contributor.author	Chen, RZ
dc.contributor.author	Miller, S
dc.contributor.author	Wan, X
dc.contributor.author	Ye, W
dc.contributor.author	Chen, J
dc.date.accessioned	2022-07-04T03:45:43Z
dc.date.available	2022-07-04T03:45:43Z
dc.date.issued	2022-04-19
dc.identifier.citation	Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci, 2022, 31, pp. e23
dc.identifier.issn	2045-7960
dc.identifier.issn	2045-7979
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/158594
dc.description.abstract	AIMS: There is a lack of evidence related to the prevalence of mental health symptoms as well as their heterogeneities during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Latin America, a large area spanning the equator. The current study aims to provide meta-analytical evidence on mental health symptoms during COVID-19 among frontline healthcare workers, general healthcare workers, the general population and university students in Latin America. METHODS: Bibliographical databases, such as PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO and medRxiv, were systematically searched to identify pertinent studies up to August 13, 2021. Two coders performed the screening using predefined eligibility criteria. Studies were assigned quality scores using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. The double data extraction method was used to minimise data entry errors. RESULTS: A total of 62 studies with 196 950 participants in Latin America were identified. The pooled prevalence of anxiety, depression, distress and insomnia was 35%, 35%, 32% and 35%, respectively. There was a higher prevalence of mental health symptoms in South America compared to Central America (36% v. 28%, p < 0.001), in countries speaking Portuguese (40%) v. Spanish (30%). The pooled prevalence of mental health symptoms in the general population, general healthcare workers, frontline healthcare workers and students in Latin America was 37%, 34%, 33% and 45%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The high yet heterogenous level of prevalence of mental health symptoms emphasises the need for appropriate identification of psychological interventions in Latin America.
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Cambridge University Press (CUP)
dc.relation.ispartof	Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1017/S2045796021000767
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	1103 Clinical Sciences, 1117 Public Health and Health Services, 1701 Psychology
dc.subject.classification	Epidemiology
dc.subject.mesh	COVID-19
dc.subject.mesh	Depression
dc.subject.mesh	Health Personnel
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Latin America
dc.subject.mesh	Mental Disorders
dc.subject.mesh	Pandemics
dc.title	Mental disorder symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin America - a systematic review and meta-analysis.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	31
utslib.location.activity	England
utslib.for	1103 Clinical Sciences
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services
utslib.for	1701 Psychology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Business
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2022-07-04T03:45:42Z
pubs.publication-status	Published online
pubs.volume	31

Abstract:

AIMS: There is a lack of evidence related to the prevalence of mental health symptoms as well as their heterogeneities during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Latin America, a large area spanning the equator. The current study aims to provide meta-analytical evidence on mental health symptoms during COVID-19 among frontline healthcare workers, general healthcare workers, the general population and university students in Latin America. METHODS: Bibliographical databases, such as PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO and medRxiv, were systematically searched to identify pertinent studies up to August 13, 2021. Two coders performed the screening using predefined eligibility criteria. Studies were assigned quality scores using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. The double data extraction method was used to minimise data entry errors. RESULTS: A total of 62 studies with 196 950 participants in Latin America were identified. The pooled prevalence of anxiety, depression, distress and insomnia was 35%, 35%, 32% and 35%, respectively. There was a higher prevalence of mental health symptoms in South America compared to Central America (36% v. 28%, p < 0.001), in countries speaking Portuguese (40%) v. Spanish (30%). The pooled prevalence of mental health symptoms in the general population, general healthcare workers, frontline healthcare workers and students in Latin America was 37%, 34%, 33% and 45%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The high yet heterogenous level of prevalence of mental health symptoms emphasises the need for appropriate identification of psychological interventions in Latin America.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/158594