Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

Mental health assessment of the Brazilian LGBTQIAP+ population during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study

Avaliação da saúde mental da população LGBTQIAP+ brasileira durante a pandemia de COVID-19: estudo transversal

Evaluación de la salud mental de la población LGBTQIAP+ brasileña durante la pandemia de COVID-19: un estudio transversal

ABSTRACT

Objective:

To investigate the association between the frequency and associated factors of non-psychotic mental disorders and anxiety symptoms in a Brazilian LGBTQIAP+ sample.

Method:

Cross-sectional study, conducted from September to October 2020 using an online questionnaire, with instruments for sociodemographic characterization, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener and the Self-Report Questionnaire. The analysis was performed using the Chi-square and Fisher’s Exact tests. Poisson regression with robust variance was performed to estimate the effect of sociodemographic variables on mental health.

Results:

Positive screening for anxiety and non-psychotic disorders were identified in 85.2% and 60.2% of the participants, respectively. Younger age groups, who professed some religion, only had access to public health, and presented with medical conditions showed a higher risk for non-psychotic mental disorders. Individuals under 30 (1.33, 95%, CI = 1.17–1.52) presented a high risk for anxiety symptoms.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of anxiety and non-psychotic disorders during the COVID pandemic was high. Implementation of health policies and interventions targeting identified risk factors is recommended.

DESCRIPTORS
COVID-19; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Mental Health; Healthcare Disparities

Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 419 , 05403-000 São Paulo - SP/ Brasil, Tel./Fax: (55 11) 3061-7553, - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: reeusp@usp.br