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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2020.12.04.411330

Quality of life and depressive symptoms among Peruvian university students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Figueroa-Quinones, J.·Ipanaque-Zapata, M.·Machay-Pak, D.·Rodriguez-Ruiz, J.
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Abstract

ObjectivesCharacterize the quality of life and depressive symptoms of university students in Peru during the COVID-19 pandemic and to determine the associated factors. MethodsMulti-centre study in 1634 university students recruited by convenience sampling. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed with the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions at three levels (EQ-5D-3L) and depressive symptoms with the Patient Health Questionarie-9 (PHQ-9). To evaluate factors associated with QoL and depressive symptoms, linear and adjusted regressions were used, with robust variance reporting coefficients ({beta}). ResultsThe percentage of participants most affected by QoL dimension was: anxiety/depression (47.2%) and pain/discomfort (35.6%). Regarding the Visual Analog Scale (EQ-VAS) of QoL, the score was 76.0 + 25.6. Those who had family economic decline during quarantine ({beta}=-3.4, IC95%=-6.5 to -0.3) or family with chronic diseases ({beta}=-3.7, IC95%=-6.1 to -1.4) presented significantly lower scores in their QoL. Regarding depressive symptomatology, the university students reported a moderate to severe level (28.9%). A higher risk of depressive symptoms was found in residents of Ayacucho ({beta}=0.8, IC95%=0.1 to 1.5), those who were released from quarantine ({beta}=0.7, IC95%=0.2 to 1.2) and those who had a family member with chronic disease ({beta}=1.5, IC95%=1.0 to 2.1). ConclusionsAlmost half and one third of participants reported anxiety/depression, and pain/discomfort in their QoL respectively. Nearly a third presented moderate and severe depressive symptoms. The deterioration of QoL was worse in those who had a decrease in income and a family member with chronic illness. The presence of depressive symptoms was found in students in Ayacucho, those who left home during quarantine and those who had a family member with chronic diseases.

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Figueroa-Quinones, J., Ipanaque-Zapata, M., Machay-Pak, D., Rodriguez-Ruiz, J.. 2020-12-04. Quality of life and depressive symptoms among Peruvian university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.12.04.411330

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