Perception of Concern and Associated Factors During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Epidemiological Survey in a Brazilian Municipality

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted mental health. This cross-sectional study analyzed the perception of concern related to the pandemic in Jundiaí-SP, June 2020. Participants consisted of residents of households selected by probability sampling and individuals with respiratory symptoms who sought Basic Health Units (UBS). The participants underwent rapid testing for SARS-CoV-2 and answered a questionnaire. The outcome was the perception of concern about pandemic and the independent variables were socioeconomic characteristics, behavioral variables, signs and symptoms, and rapid test results. Bivariate analysis was performed and variables with <i>p</i> < 0.20 were included in a binary logistic regression model (<i>p</i> < 0.05) using SPSS 20.0. A total of 2432 individuals participated in the study, including 1181 from UBS and 1251 from households. Females (OR: 1.42; CI: 1.18-1.71), black and mixed race participants (OR: 1.40; CI: 1.15-1.71), participants with an income up to 3 minimum wages (MW) (up to 1 MW: OR: 2.58; CI: 1.80-3.70; 1 to 3 MW: OR: 1.64; CI: 1.35-1.98), and younger participants (18-39 years: OR: 3.07; CI: 2.39-3.94; 40-59 years: OR: 2.42; CI: 1.89-3.10) were more concerned. Greater concern was perceived by more vulnerable individuals, regardless of testing positive for COVID-19 which is important to subsidize public mental health policies and crisis interventions, focusing on reducing race, gender and socioeconomic inequalities.