Psychological distress in the COVID-19 pandemic: prevalence and associated factors at a nursing college.

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the prevalence and factors associated with psychological distress in students and workers at a public nursing college during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: this is a cross-sectional study, carried out by a structured survey based on the internet with a sample of 477 students and workers. Prevalence ratios were calculated and adjusted Prevalence Ratios were obtained by Poisson Regression, with robust variance control and stepwise backward technique. Results: the prevalence of psychological distress was 19.29% (95%CI: 15.98-23.09). Testing (PR 1.55; p-value 0.026) and belonging to the COVID-19 risk group (1.71; p-value 0.005), perception of family atmosphere (PR 3.10; p-value <0.001), feelings of loneliness (PR 2.64; p-value <0.001) and family violence (PR 2.21; p-value 0.005) were associated with distress. Conclusions: the high magnitude of the event and its association with COVID-19, loneliness and family dynamics arouse the need to build strategies that promote a place of protection for schools.