Common mental disorder among nursing students during the Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: Common Mental Disorder (CMD), characterized by non-psychotic symptoms, represents a significant demand on healthcare services, both in Brazil, where its prevalence in the general population can reach 50%, and globally, with variations between 14.7% and 21.8%. Amid an ongoing health crisis, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, an exacerbation of emotional instability is expected, especially among university students who face a challenging academic environment, potentially impacting their quality of life and mental health. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of CMD and its associated factors among nursing students at a public university during the Covid-19 pandemic, we conducted a cross-sectional study. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Data were collected between May and June 2020, using questionnaires administered to 148 nursing students, and submitted through Google Forms. The instruments used assessed sociodemographic questions and screened for CMD using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire. Results: They revealed an alarming prevalence of Common Mental Disorder, affecting 64.8% of students. Associated factors included the presence of current psychological problems (OR: 4.9; CI: 2.0-12.2) and dissatisfaction with the course (OR: 3.8; CI: 1.6-8.9). Conclusion: A high prevalence of Common Mental Disorder was observed among university students, possibly exacerbated by the global Covid-19 crisis. These results highlight the urgent need for interventions to promote the mental health and well-being of these young people in challenging educational environments and times of crisis.