Psychobehavioral aspects during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An analysis of the effects caused in residents of the central region of São Paulo

Abstract

The outbreak of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China, which started in December 2019, has evolved to become a global pandemic. The pandemic, along with the obvious health-related impact, also poses a serious threat to the psychological well-being of individuals and has resulted in significant behavioral changes. The main objective of this article was to describe the psychobehavioral response to this crisis among the population of the central region of the city of São Paulo in March 2020. A structured and self-administered questionnaire was built, based on previous research evaluating the psychological impact and the behavioral changes regarding COVID-19. The questionnaires were made available online and were administered to any individual residing in São Paulo, during March 2020. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 to identify possible risk factors for psychological and behavioral changes . The responses were compared based on gender, age and education level, to find possible statistical correlations using the chi-square test. This research studied data from 400 participants living in the metropolitan region of São Paulo. The spread of the new virus resulted in the subsequent development of fears in the target population, with the majority of respondents feeling anxious daily (62.5%). Participants feared going to the markets (88.8%), were concerned about the health of their family members (94.5%) and felt little confident with current infection control measures (71%). Significantly high levels of fear were observed among people over 35 years of age. They were more likely to fear for the safety of their health, even at home (p = 0.06). Meanwhile, the increase in anxiety levels due to the use of social media among people under the age of 35 resulted in escape behaviors (p = 0.04). There was a greater tendency for graduates to fear for the safety of their health, even at home (p <0.01). In addition, more than three quarters of the survey participants incorporated changes in their behavior to ensure their safety, that is, reduced physical contact (86.5%) and visits to health facilities (74.5%), canceled plans (84 , 5%) and hand washing more frequently (87%). As a result, there was an increase in the levels of anxiety that an individual regularly experienced in relation to his health, the health of his peers, certain preventive behaviors as a result of the disease and changes in the behavior of the population in question. In addition to calling attention to this worrying situation, we also try to list possible solutions to avoid any future suffering that may result as a result.