Meta-Analytical Evidence on Mental Disorder Symptoms During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Latin America

Background: There is a considerable increase in psychological morbidities during COVID-19 pandemic among several demographic groups, including healthcare workers, the general population, and students. Regional disparities across the globe do exist, but evidence on the prevalence of mental disorder symptoms as well as their heterogeneities in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic is lacking. The current study aims to provide meta-analytical evidence on mental disorder symptoms during COVID-19 among frontline healthcare workers, general healthcare workers, the general population, and university students in Latin America. Methods: Bibliographical databases, such as PubMed, Embase, Web of Sciences, PsycINFO, and medRxiv, were systematically searched to identify pertinent studies up to February 6, 2021. Two coders performed the screening using predefined eligibility criteria. Studies were assigned quality scores using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. The double data extraction method was used to minimize data entry errors. The pooled prevalence of anxiety, depression, distress, and insomnia was calculated using a random-effects model. Doi plot and the Luis Furuya–Kanamori (LFK) index were used to quantify publication bias. Findings: A total of 33 studies with 101,772 participants in Latin America were identified. The pooled prevalence of anxiety, depression, distress, and insomnia was 32%, 27%, 32%, and 35%, respectively. There was a higher prevalence of mental health symptoms in South America compared to Central America (33% vs. 27%, p <0.001). The pooled prevalence of mental health symptoms in the general population, general healthcare workers, frontline healthcare workers, and students in Latin America was 33%, 31%, 37%, and 36%, respectively. Interpretation: The high yet heterogenous level of prevalence of mental disorder symptoms emphasizes the need for appropriate identification of and interventions for mental health needs in Latin America. The findings also highlight the heterogeneity of mental disorder symptoms during COVID-19 across population subgroups. The evidence suggests timely implementation of psychological interventions to address mental health. Registration Details: Registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO: CRD42020224458). Funding Information: Oregon State University College of Business provides research support. Declaration of Interests: All authors have completed the Unified Competing Interest form and declare: no support from any organization for the submitted work; no financial relationships with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work in the previous three years, no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.