The Impact of the Successive Outbreaks of COVID-19, Vaccination, and Physical Activity on Mental Health in the Argentine Population: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study

Autores
Barbuzza, Alejo Ramiro; Ballarini, Fabricio Matias; Goyeneche, Celina; Reppucci, Victoria; Benedetti, Pedro Joaquin; Moscato, Franco; Medina, Jorge Horacio; Katche, Cynthia Lorena; Moncada, Diego; Viola, Haydeé
Año de publicación
2024
Idioma
inglés
Tipo de recurso
artículo
Estado
versión publicada
Descripción
Background and objectives A controversy regarding the duration of generalized anxiety disorders (GAD) and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic arose, stating that these symptoms last a short time, perhaps a few months, or that they are more persistent over time. After more than three years of the pandemic, this is still a question that requires an answer. The main goal of this work was to record the levels of self-perceived GAD and depression in the Argentine population at several time points during the pandemic to characterize whether they were transient or persisted over the successive waves of contagion. Furthermore, we studied the association between anti-COVID-19 vaccination and the high frequency of physical activity with GAD and depression levels to evaluate a possible protective role of these factors on mental health. Methods We used a descriptive and correlational research design. We carried out a repeated cross-sectional study performing seven online surveys (collection period: four to 15 days) at different time points in October 2020, May, August, October, and December 2021, and February and April 2022. The participants (24,308) were recruited through Instagram campaigns performed by renowned local scientific communicators and responded to the survey through Google Forms (Google, Mountain View, CA). Generalized anxiety was assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The respondents reported their symptoms using a four-point Likert scale, which led us to calculate the scores and also the prevalence (% of the population with moderate to severe symptoms) for GAD and depression and the frequency they performed physical activity per week. Data were statistically analyzed using the unpaired Mann-Whitney U-test, chi-squared, Spearman correlation, or Tukey's post hoc test after two-way ANOVA. Results Our results show that the highest prevalence for GAD and depression correspond to those of the second wave of infections (May 2021: 57.3% and 54.19%, respectively) and that the lower levels were reported by the end of the third wave (April 2022: 43.21% and 43.65%, respectively). Such levels were even lower than those reported during the first wave at the beginning of our study (October 2020: 45.94% and 48.92%, respectively). In other words, even though the third wave tripled the number of people infected with respect to the second one, its effects on mental health were attenuated. The increment in the vaccine doses inoculated between the last two waves of contagion was associated with a decrease in the GAD score (mean ± SEM: 10.75 ± 0.06 vs. 8.88 ± 0.13) and the depressive symptoms (mean ± SEM: 10.76 ± 0.07 vs. 9.23 ± 0.14). Throughout the entire study period, the fraction of the population that practiced physical activity three or more times per week was self-perceived with lower levels of GAD and depression than those who exercised less frequently. Conclusions Of the three waves of contagion that the Argentine population suffered, the highest rates of GAD and depression were recorded in the second wave, and these symptoms decreased over the months, even during the third wave, which presented the highest number of infections. Our results also suggest that the progress of the vaccination campaign and the practice of physical exercises with high frequency could play a protective role in the mental health of the population during COVID-19.
Fil: Barbuzza, Alejo Ramiro. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; Argentina
Fil: Ballarini, Fabricio Matias. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; Argentina. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentina
Fil: Goyeneche, Celina. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; Argentina
Fil: Reppucci, Victoria. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentina
Fil: Benedetti, Pedro Joaquin. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina
Fil: Moscato, Franco. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentina
Fil: Medina, Jorge Horacio. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; Argentina
Fil: Katche, Cynthia Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; Argentina. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentina
Fil: Moncada, Diego. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; Argentina
Fil: Viola, Haydeé. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; Argentina
Materia
physical activity
vaccines
argentine population
depression
generalized anxiety disorder
Nivel de accesibilidad
acceso abierto
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https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ar/
Repositorio
CONICET Digital (CONICET)
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Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
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oai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/269300
Acceder
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spelling The Impact of the Successive Outbreaks of COVID-19, Vaccination, and Physical Activity on Mental Health in the Argentine Population: A Repeated Cross-Sectional StudyBarbuzza, Alejo RamiroBallarini, Fabricio MatiasGoyeneche, CelinaReppucci, VictoriaBenedetti, Pedro JoaquinMoscato, FrancoMedina, Jorge HoracioKatche, Cynthia LorenaMoncada, DiegoViola, Haydeéphysical activityvaccinesargentine populationdepressiongeneralized anxiety disorderhttps://purl.org/becyt/ford/3.1https://purl.org/becyt/ford/3Background and objectives A controversy regarding the duration of generalized anxiety disorders (GAD) and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic arose, stating that these symptoms last a short time, perhaps a few months, or that they are more persistent over time. After more than three years of the pandemic, this is still a question that requires an answer. The main goal of this work was to record the levels of self-perceived GAD and depression in the Argentine population at several time points during the pandemic to characterize whether they were transient or persisted over the successive waves of contagion. Furthermore, we studied the association between anti-COVID-19 vaccination and the high frequency of physical activity with GAD and depression levels to evaluate a possible protective role of these factors on mental health. Methods We used a descriptive and correlational research design. We carried out a repeated cross-sectional study performing seven online surveys (collection period: four to 15 days) at different time points in October 2020, May, August, October, and December 2021, and February and April 2022. The participants (24,308) were recruited through Instagram campaigns performed by renowned local scientific communicators and responded to the survey through Google Forms (Google, Mountain View, CA). Generalized anxiety was assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The respondents reported their symptoms using a four-point Likert scale, which led us to calculate the scores and also the prevalence (% of the population with moderate to severe symptoms) for GAD and depression and the frequency they performed physical activity per week. Data were statistically analyzed using the unpaired Mann-Whitney U-test, chi-squared, Spearman correlation, or Tukey's post hoc test after two-way ANOVA. Results Our results show that the highest prevalence for GAD and depression correspond to those of the second wave of infections (May 2021: 57.3% and 54.19%, respectively) and that the lower levels were reported by the end of the third wave (April 2022: 43.21% and 43.65%, respectively). Such levels were even lower than those reported during the first wave at the beginning of our study (October 2020: 45.94% and 48.92%, respectively). In other words, even though the third wave tripled the number of people infected with respect to the second one, its effects on mental health were attenuated. The increment in the vaccine doses inoculated between the last two waves of contagion was associated with a decrease in the GAD score (mean ± SEM: 10.75 ± 0.06 vs. 8.88 ± 0.13) and the depressive symptoms (mean ± SEM: 10.76 ± 0.07 vs. 9.23 ± 0.14). Throughout the entire study period, the fraction of the population that practiced physical activity three or more times per week was self-perceived with lower levels of GAD and depression than those who exercised less frequently. Conclusions Of the three waves of contagion that the Argentine population suffered, the highest rates of GAD and depression were recorded in the second wave, and these symptoms decreased over the months, even during the third wave, which presented the highest number of infections. Our results also suggest that the progress of the vaccination campaign and the practice of physical exercises with high frequency could play a protective role in the mental health of the population during COVID-19.Fil: Barbuzza, Alejo Ramiro. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Ballarini, Fabricio Matias. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; Argentina. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Goyeneche, Celina. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Reppucci, Victoria. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Benedetti, Pedro Joaquin. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Moscato, Franco. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Medina, Jorge Horacio. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Katche, Cynthia Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; Argentina. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Moncada, Diego. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Viola, Haydeé. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaSpringer Nature Group2024-02info:eu-repo/semantics/articleinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersionhttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_6501info:ar-repo/semantics/articuloapplication/pdfapplication/pdfapplication/pdfapplication/pdfapplication/pdfhttp://hdl.handle.net/11336/269300Barbuzza, Alejo Ramiro; Ballarini, Fabricio Matias; Goyeneche, Celina; Reppucci, Victoria; Benedetti, Pedro Joaquin; et al.; The Impact of the Successive Outbreaks of COVID-19, Vaccination, and Physical Activity on Mental Health in the Argentine Population: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study; Springer Nature Group; Cureus; 16; 2; 2-2024; 1-132168-8184CONICET DigitalCONICETenginfo:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/url/https://www.cureus.com/articles/187253-the-impact-of-the-successive-outbreaks-of-covid-19-vaccination-and-physical-activity-on-mental-health-in-the-argentine-population-a-repeated-cross-sectional-studyinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccesshttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ar/reponame:CONICET Digital (CONICET)instname:Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas2025-09-29T10:41:53Zoai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/269300instacron:CONICETInstitucionalhttp://ri.conicet.gov.ar/Organismo científico-tecnológicoNo correspondehttp://ri.conicet.gov.ar/oai/requestdasensio@conicet.gov.ar; lcarlino@conicet.gov.arArgentinaNo correspondeNo correspondeNo correspondeopendoar:34982025-09-29 10:41:53.613CONICET Digital (CONICET) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicasfalse
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv The Impact of the Successive Outbreaks of COVID-19, Vaccination, and Physical Activity on Mental Health in the Argentine Population: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study
title The Impact of the Successive Outbreaks of COVID-19, Vaccination, and Physical Activity on Mental Health in the Argentine Population: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study
spellingShingle The Impact of the Successive Outbreaks of COVID-19, Vaccination, and Physical Activity on Mental Health in the Argentine Population: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study
Barbuzza, Alejo Ramiro
physical activity
vaccines
argentine population
depression
generalized anxiety disorder
title_short The Impact of the Successive Outbreaks of COVID-19, Vaccination, and Physical Activity on Mental Health in the Argentine Population: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study
title_full The Impact of the Successive Outbreaks of COVID-19, Vaccination, and Physical Activity on Mental Health in the Argentine Population: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study
title_fullStr The Impact of the Successive Outbreaks of COVID-19, Vaccination, and Physical Activity on Mental Health in the Argentine Population: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study
title_full_unstemmed The Impact of the Successive Outbreaks of COVID-19, Vaccination, and Physical Activity on Mental Health in the Argentine Population: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study
title_sort The Impact of the Successive Outbreaks of COVID-19, Vaccination, and Physical Activity on Mental Health in the Argentine Population: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study
dc.creator.none.fl_str_mv Barbuzza, Alejo Ramiro
Ballarini, Fabricio Matias
Goyeneche, Celina
Reppucci, Victoria
Benedetti, Pedro Joaquin
Moscato, Franco
Medina, Jorge Horacio
Katche, Cynthia Lorena
Moncada, Diego
Viola, Haydeé
author Barbuzza, Alejo Ramiro
author_facet Barbuzza, Alejo Ramiro
Ballarini, Fabricio Matias
Goyeneche, Celina
Reppucci, Victoria
Benedetti, Pedro Joaquin
Moscato, Franco
Medina, Jorge Horacio
Katche, Cynthia Lorena
Moncada, Diego
Viola, Haydeé
author_role author
author2 Ballarini, Fabricio Matias
Goyeneche, Celina
Reppucci, Victoria
Benedetti, Pedro Joaquin
Moscato, Franco
Medina, Jorge Horacio
Katche, Cynthia Lorena
Moncada, Diego
Viola, Haydeé
author2_role author
author
author
author
author
author
author
author
author
dc.subject.none.fl_str_mv physical activity
vaccines
argentine population
depression
generalized anxiety disorder
topic physical activity
vaccines
argentine population
depression
generalized anxiety disorder
purl_subject.fl_str_mv https://purl.org/becyt/ford/3.1
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/3
dc.description.none.fl_txt_mv Background and objectives A controversy regarding the duration of generalized anxiety disorders (GAD) and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic arose, stating that these symptoms last a short time, perhaps a few months, or that they are more persistent over time. After more than three years of the pandemic, this is still a question that requires an answer. The main goal of this work was to record the levels of self-perceived GAD and depression in the Argentine population at several time points during the pandemic to characterize whether they were transient or persisted over the successive waves of contagion. Furthermore, we studied the association between anti-COVID-19 vaccination and the high frequency of physical activity with GAD and depression levels to evaluate a possible protective role of these factors on mental health. Methods We used a descriptive and correlational research design. We carried out a repeated cross-sectional study performing seven online surveys (collection period: four to 15 days) at different time points in October 2020, May, August, October, and December 2021, and February and April 2022. The participants (24,308) were recruited through Instagram campaigns performed by renowned local scientific communicators and responded to the survey through Google Forms (Google, Mountain View, CA). Generalized anxiety was assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The respondents reported their symptoms using a four-point Likert scale, which led us to calculate the scores and also the prevalence (% of the population with moderate to severe symptoms) for GAD and depression and the frequency they performed physical activity per week. Data were statistically analyzed using the unpaired Mann-Whitney U-test, chi-squared, Spearman correlation, or Tukey's post hoc test after two-way ANOVA. Results Our results show that the highest prevalence for GAD and depression correspond to those of the second wave of infections (May 2021: 57.3% and 54.19%, respectively) and that the lower levels were reported by the end of the third wave (April 2022: 43.21% and 43.65%, respectively). Such levels were even lower than those reported during the first wave at the beginning of our study (October 2020: 45.94% and 48.92%, respectively). In other words, even though the third wave tripled the number of people infected with respect to the second one, its effects on mental health were attenuated. The increment in the vaccine doses inoculated between the last two waves of contagion was associated with a decrease in the GAD score (mean ± SEM: 10.75 ± 0.06 vs. 8.88 ± 0.13) and the depressive symptoms (mean ± SEM: 10.76 ± 0.07 vs. 9.23 ± 0.14). Throughout the entire study period, the fraction of the population that practiced physical activity three or more times per week was self-perceived with lower levels of GAD and depression than those who exercised less frequently. Conclusions Of the three waves of contagion that the Argentine population suffered, the highest rates of GAD and depression were recorded in the second wave, and these symptoms decreased over the months, even during the third wave, which presented the highest number of infections. Our results also suggest that the progress of the vaccination campaign and the practice of physical exercises with high frequency could play a protective role in the mental health of the population during COVID-19.
Fil: Barbuzza, Alejo Ramiro. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; Argentina
Fil: Ballarini, Fabricio Matias. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; Argentina. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentina
Fil: Goyeneche, Celina. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; Argentina
Fil: Reppucci, Victoria. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentina
Fil: Benedetti, Pedro Joaquin. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina
Fil: Moscato, Franco. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentina
Fil: Medina, Jorge Horacio. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; Argentina
Fil: Katche, Cynthia Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; Argentina. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentina
Fil: Moncada, Diego. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; Argentina
Fil: Viola, Haydeé. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; Argentina
description Background and objectives A controversy regarding the duration of generalized anxiety disorders (GAD) and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic arose, stating that these symptoms last a short time, perhaps a few months, or that they are more persistent over time. After more than three years of the pandemic, this is still a question that requires an answer. The main goal of this work was to record the levels of self-perceived GAD and depression in the Argentine population at several time points during the pandemic to characterize whether they were transient or persisted over the successive waves of contagion. Furthermore, we studied the association between anti-COVID-19 vaccination and the high frequency of physical activity with GAD and depression levels to evaluate a possible protective role of these factors on mental health. Methods We used a descriptive and correlational research design. We carried out a repeated cross-sectional study performing seven online surveys (collection period: four to 15 days) at different time points in October 2020, May, August, October, and December 2021, and February and April 2022. The participants (24,308) were recruited through Instagram campaigns performed by renowned local scientific communicators and responded to the survey through Google Forms (Google, Mountain View, CA). Generalized anxiety was assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The respondents reported their symptoms using a four-point Likert scale, which led us to calculate the scores and also the prevalence (% of the population with moderate to severe symptoms) for GAD and depression and the frequency they performed physical activity per week. Data were statistically analyzed using the unpaired Mann-Whitney U-test, chi-squared, Spearman correlation, or Tukey's post hoc test after two-way ANOVA. Results Our results show that the highest prevalence for GAD and depression correspond to those of the second wave of infections (May 2021: 57.3% and 54.19%, respectively) and that the lower levels were reported by the end of the third wave (April 2022: 43.21% and 43.65%, respectively). Such levels were even lower than those reported during the first wave at the beginning of our study (October 2020: 45.94% and 48.92%, respectively). In other words, even though the third wave tripled the number of people infected with respect to the second one, its effects on mental health were attenuated. The increment in the vaccine doses inoculated between the last two waves of contagion was associated with a decrease in the GAD score (mean ± SEM: 10.75 ± 0.06 vs. 8.88 ± 0.13) and the depressive symptoms (mean ± SEM: 10.76 ± 0.07 vs. 9.23 ± 0.14). Throughout the entire study period, the fraction of the population that practiced physical activity three or more times per week was self-perceived with lower levels of GAD and depression than those who exercised less frequently. Conclusions Of the three waves of contagion that the Argentine population suffered, the highest rates of GAD and depression were recorded in the second wave, and these symptoms decreased over the months, even during the third wave, which presented the highest number of infections. Our results also suggest that the progress of the vaccination campaign and the practice of physical exercises with high frequency could play a protective role in the mental health of the population during COVID-19.
publishDate 2024
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv 2024-02
dc.type.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/article
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
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info:ar-repo/semantics/articulo
format article
status_str publishedVersion
dc.identifier.none.fl_str_mv http://hdl.handle.net/11336/269300
Barbuzza, Alejo Ramiro; Ballarini, Fabricio Matias; Goyeneche, Celina; Reppucci, Victoria; Benedetti, Pedro Joaquin; et al.; The Impact of the Successive Outbreaks of COVID-19, Vaccination, and Physical Activity on Mental Health in the Argentine Population: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study; Springer Nature Group; Cureus; 16; 2; 2-2024; 1-13
2168-8184
CONICET Digital
CONICET
url http://hdl.handle.net/11336/269300
identifier_str_mv Barbuzza, Alejo Ramiro; Ballarini, Fabricio Matias; Goyeneche, Celina; Reppucci, Victoria; Benedetti, Pedro Joaquin; et al.; The Impact of the Successive Outbreaks of COVID-19, Vaccination, and Physical Activity on Mental Health in the Argentine Population: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study; Springer Nature Group; Cureus; 16; 2; 2-2024; 1-13
2168-8184
CONICET Digital
CONICET
dc.language.none.fl_str_mv eng
language eng
dc.relation.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/url/https://www.cureus.com/articles/187253-the-impact-of-the-successive-outbreaks-of-covid-19-vaccination-and-physical-activity-on-mental-health-in-the-argentine-population-a-repeated-cross-sectional-study
dc.rights.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ar/
eu_rights_str_mv openAccess
rights_invalid_str_mv https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ar/
dc.format.none.fl_str_mv application/pdf
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dc.publisher.none.fl_str_mv Springer Nature Group
publisher.none.fl_str_mv Springer Nature Group
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reponame_str CONICET Digital (CONICET)
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repository.name.fl_str_mv CONICET Digital (CONICET) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
repository.mail.fl_str_mv dasensio@conicet.gov.ar; lcarlino@conicet.gov.ar
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