Erika Tatiana Paredes Prada, Maria A Camacho, Ingrid J Diaz, Adrian M De La Rosa, Gloria I Nino
PT, UIS, Colombia
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Jour Diab Meta
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 studentsâ?? 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 â??definite casesâ? of anxiety and 8.2% were diagnosed with depression. Women with a low academic performance had a greater percentage of being â??definite casesâ? (3.8%) of anxiety as compared to men (1.1%). Regarding depression, in men, 12.2% of those with low academic performance were â??definite casesâ? (6.9% p<0.05); in females with low academic performance, 10.1% were â??definite casesâ? of depression, according to the Poisson regression analysis. The probability of low performance was 100% higher for women identified as â??doubtful casesâ? 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.
Erika Tatiana Paredes Prada has her expertise in mental health and physical activity in improving the health and wellbeing. She is physical therapist with masterâ??s degree in research field. She has experience in research, evaluation, teaching and evaluation both in hospital and education institutions. She is working as a professor since 2016 until now.
