ABSTRACT

Objective:

To analyze whether there was an impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMD) among medical students, investigating the possible associated risk factors.

Methods:

It is an observational study, developed with 289 medical students from Salvador, Bahia, carried out before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. A structured questionnaire containing sociodemographic, academic and lifestyle data was used. CMD screening was performed using the Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ-20). Data collection took place in two stages: the first in person (period before the pandemic) and the second virtual (pandemic period).

Results:

There was no difference in the prevalence of CMD between the moments before and during the pandemic (48.0% vs. 44.5%, p = 0.577). During the pandemic, there was an increase in religious involvement (80.6% vs. 92.7%, p = 0.002) and consumption of alcoholic beverages (45.9% vs. 69.1%, p < 0.001). Among students, there was an increase in CMD among men (17.0% vs. 34.1%, p = 0.036); reduction among women (83.0% vs. 65.9%, p = 0.036); increase among those with religious involvement (80.9% vs. 92.9%, p = 0.036); and increase in all academic cycles (p = 0.039).

Conclusion:

Although the prevalence of CMD in medical students remains expressive, there was no direct impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its rates. In addition, the prevalence of CMD was higher among students with religious commitment and alcohol drinkers.

KEYWORDS
Mental health; medical education; medical students; coronavirus infections; COVID-19