Prevalence and Correlates of Mental Health Outcomes During the SARS-Cov-2 Epidemic in Mexico City and Their Association With Non-adherence to Stay-At-Home Directives, June 2020

• Main Authors: Mario H. Flores-Torres, Audrey R. Murchland, Priscilla Espinosa-Tamez, Jocelyn Jaen, Marion Brochier, Sergio Bautista-Arredondo, Héctor Lamadrid-Figueroa, Martin Lajous, Karestan Koenen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2021-04-01
• Series: International Journal of Public Health
• Subjects: COVID-19; mental health; public healh; anxiety; depression
• Online Access: https://www.ssph-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ijph.2021.620825/full

Objectives: To describe the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and perceived negative mental health impact during the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic in Mexico City and evaluate their association with adherence to stay-at-home directives.Methods: Baseline data from a cohort study of 2,016 Mexico City government employees were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression models.Results: Among participants, 17.2% had clinically significant depressive symptoms, 21.6% had probable GAD, and 15.2% reported that the pandemic has had a major impact on their mental health. Factors including the presence of COVID-19 symptoms, self-isolation, and economic difficulties were associated with poor mental health. The presence of depressive symptoms and general anxiety were associated with non-adherence to public health directives, particularly among those who might have experienced these symptoms for the first time during the pandemic.Conclusion: Our study is one of the first to document the population mental health burden during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Mexico and to provide evidence of the potential role of mental health in the adherence to public health measures.