Cross-Sectional Analysis of Colombian University Students’ Perceptions of Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Repercussions on Academic Achievement
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Published:2023-07-14
Issue:14
Volume:11
Page:2024
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ISSN:2227-9032
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Container-title:Healthcare
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language:en
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Short-container-title:Healthcare
Author:
Camacho-Villa María Alejandra12, Díaz-Marín Ingrid Johanna12, Paredes Prada Erika Tatiana1, De la Rosa Adrián1ORCID, Niño-Cruz Gloria Isabel3ORCID
Affiliation:
1. Sport and Innovation Research Group (GICED), Laboratory of Applied Sciences of Sport, Unidades Tecnológicas de Santander (UTS), Bucaramanga 680006, Santander, Colombia 2. Pain Study Group (GED), Physical Therapy School, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga 680002, Santander, Colombia 3. Harmony and Life Movement (MAV), Physical Therapy School, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga 680002, Santander, Colombia
Abstract
Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the increase in academic activities at home negatively impacted mental health, due to significant levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. We investigated the association of depression and anxiety with university students’ academic performance during the COVID-19 lockdown in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted through an online survey during the lockdown, through the use of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the grade-point average. Results: 1090 females, out of 1957 students, with mean age 22.2 ± 5.3 years, participated in the study. The prevalence of low academic performance was higher in men (4.7% p = 0.014). As for mental health, 2.5% of the students were classified as “definite cases” of anxiety and 8.2% were diagnosed with depression. Women with a low academic performance had a greater percentage of being “definite cases” (3.8%) of anxiety as compared to men (1.1%). Regarding depression, in men, 12.2% of those with low academic performance were “definite cases” (6.9% p < 0.05); in females with low academic performance, 10.1% were “definite cases” of depression, according to the Poisson regression analysis. The probability of low performance was 100% higher for women identified as “doubtful cases” of depression (PR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.10–5.18, p = 0.03). Conclusions: A positive association between the severity of anxiety/depression and lower grades, especially in women, was found. Mental health should be a special concern when considering university students, in order to improve their academic performance.
Subject
Health Information Management,Health Informatics,Health Policy,Leadership and Management
Reference70 articles.
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