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Prevalence and Associated Factors of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in University Students in Paraguay during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Telmo Raul Aveiro-Róbalo

    (Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Pacífico, Asunción 2300, Paraguay)

  • Luciana Daniela Garlisi-Torales

    (Dirección de Investigación 2300, Universidad Maria Auxiliadora, Asunción 2040, Paraguay)

  • Marisella Chumán-Sánchez

    (Sociedad Científica de Estudiantes de Medicina Veritas (SCIEMVE), Escuela de Medicina, Universidad San Martín de Porres, Chiclayo 14012, Peru)

  • César J. Pereira-Victorio

    (School of Medicine, Universidad Continental, Lima 12000, Peru)

  • Mariana Huaman-Garcia

    (Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Cesar Vallejo, Piura 20001, Peru)

  • Virgilio E. Failoc-Rojas

    (Research Unit for Generation and Synthesis Evidence in Health, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima 15024, Peru)

  • Mario J. Valladares-Garrido

    (South American Center for Education and Research in Public Health, Universidad Norbert Wiener, Lima 15046, Peru
    Epidemiology Office, Hospital Regional Lambayeque, Chiclayo 14012, Peru)

Abstract

We aimed to determine the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress in university students in Paraguay during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 293 students from four universities in Paraguay in 2021. The DASS-21 mental health scale was used to measure the outcomes (depression, anxiety, and stress) and evaluate their association with socio-educational variables. A total of 77.1% of the participants were women and 136 (46.4%) were between 21 and 25 years old. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress was 74.7%, 87.4%, and 57%, respectively. We found that being a woman and studying at a public university was positively associated with depression, anxiety, and stress. Receiving COVID-19 training increases the prevalence of mental health problems. In conclusion, high levels of anxiety, depression, and stress were found in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Being a woman, studying at a public university, and receiving training on COVID-19 were factors associated with a higher prevalence of presenting all the mental health problems evaluated. Furthermore, students aged 31 and over had a higher prevalence of depression and stress.

Suggested Citation

  • Telmo Raul Aveiro-Róbalo & Luciana Daniela Garlisi-Torales & Marisella Chumán-Sánchez & César J. Pereira-Victorio & Mariana Huaman-Garcia & Virgilio E. Failoc-Rojas & Mario J. Valladares-Garrido, 2022. "Prevalence and Associated Factors of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in University Students in Paraguay during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12930-:d:937453
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jorge L. Piscoya-Tenorio & Walter V. Heredia-Rioja & Noelia Morocho-Alburqueque & Sandra Zeña-Ñañez & Palmer J. Hernández-Yépez & Cristian Díaz-Vélez & Virgilo E. Failoc-Rojas & Mario J. Valladares-Ga, 2023. "Prevalence and Factors Associated with Anxiety and Depression in Peruvian Medical Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-9, February.

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