AUTHOR=Flores Mario , Murchland Audrey , Espinosa-Tamez Priscilla , Jaen Jocelyn , Brochier Marion , Bautista-Arredondo Sergio , Lamadrid-Figueroa Hector , Lajous Martin , Koenen Karestan 

TITLE=Prevalence and Correlates of Mental Health Outcomes During the SARS-Cov-2 Epidemic in Mexico City and Their Association With Non-adherence to Stay-At-Home Directives, June 2020

JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health

VOLUME=66

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2021.620825

DOI=10.3389/ijph.2021.620825

ISSN=1661-8564

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objectives:</bold> To describe the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and perceived negative mental health impact during the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic in Mexico City and evaluate their association with adherence to stay-at-home directives.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> Baseline data from a cohort study of 2,016 Mexico City government employees were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression models.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> Among participants, 17.2% had clinically significant depressive symptoms, 21.6% had probable GAD, and 15.2% reported that the pandemic has had a major impact on their mental health. Factors including the presence of COVID-19 symptoms, self-isolation, and economic difficulties were associated with poor mental health. The presence of depressive symptoms and general anxiety were associated with non-adherence to public health directives, particularly among those who might have experienced these symptoms for the first time during the pandemic.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> Our study is one of the first to document the population mental health burden during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Mexico and to provide evidence of the potential role of mental health in the adherence to public health measures.</p>