Common mental disorders in primary health care professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic period: a cross-sectional study in the north macro-region of Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2021

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the prevalence of symptoms of common mental disorders (CMD) in health professionals in Primary Health Care from August to October 2021. Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out with health professionals from the northern macroregion of Minas Gerais. Sampling method was snowball type. The dependent variable, CMD, was assessed using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20). Poisson regression was used in the statistical analysis. Results: 702 health professionals participated. The prevalence of CMD was 43.2%, higher in those who had previous symptoms of mental disorders (PR=2.42; 95%CI 1.43;4.08) and current (PR=1.54; 95%CI 1.25;1.89); overwork during the pandemic (PR=1.42; 95%CI 1.16;1.73); previous symptoms of anxiety (PR=1.27; 95%CI 1.01;1.61), depression (PR=1.27; 95%CI 1.06;1.52) and other mental disorders (PR=1.20 ;95%CI 1.01;1.43). Conclusion: There was an association between CMD and previous and current symptoms of mental disorders and work overload during the COVID-19 pandemic.