Pandemia de COVID-19: aspectos psicológicos, alteraciones conductuales y perfil de hábitos. Resultados de una encuesta en el ámbito universitario a un mes del confinamiento total en Mendoza, Argentina

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the world from the human, health, scientific, socio-economic, and political. In this paper we present results of an online survey applied to a university population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data such as age, sex, functions, career, dependents, cohabitants and psychological aspects, habits and preventive behaviors were obtained. RESULTS: Validated 1488 responses: 63% corresponded to female sex (SF), average age = 29.5 years (DE12.9). 70% were students and 30% teachers, managers, and others. 87% had COVID-19 pandemic concern (CPC). 41% levels of anguish (ANG), 56% anxiety (ANX), all in moderate to severe degree. 79% sleep disturbances and 65% in eating habits. Future worries (PaF) related to economic/labor aspects was the most mentioned (74%). 67% reported over-information (SInf) related to epidemiological situation. Logistic regression showed the following positive statistical relationships with RR (CI): CPC with age = 2.22 (1.52–3.24) and SInF = 4.22 (2.93–6.07); ANG with sex F = 1.40 (1.13–1.76), relaxation activity = 0.71 (0.57–0.88) and SInF = 2.91 (2.01–4.22); ANX with age = 1.75 (1.39–2.20) sex F = 1.32 (1.06–1.65), physical activity = 0.78 (0.62–0.97) and SInF = 2.72 (1.96–3.79) and sleep disturbances with: student function: = 1.78 (1.36–2.35) and SInF = 2.81 (2.01–3.92). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the high prevalence of potentially risky alterations to physical and psychological health during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are also high levels of worries about the future, especially involving economic/labor aspects. Therefore, active measures should be adopted early to promote comprehensive health in the general population, especially in young people and women, avoiding over-information and promoting healthy habits.