Anxiety And Fear of COVID-19 Among Shantytown Dwellers In The Megacity Of Lima

The COVID-19 pandemic is not only having a negative impact on individuals’ physical health, but also on their mental health. Particularly, people living in disadvantaged communities in the developing world have been hit the hardest by the pandemic. They live precariously and are more vulnerable to mental health issues.

In this study, we have evaluated COVID-19-related anxiety and fear and the predictors associated with them among shantytown dwellers in the Peruvian capital.

This is a cross-sectional study in which 816 shantytown dwellers participated. Anxiety and fear of the virus were assessed using the Corona Anxiety Scale (CAS) and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale. Also, sociodemographic data were collected.

Stable and occasional workers were more likely to show the anxiety about the virus, whereas older adults presented higher levels of fear of COVID-19. Shantytown dwellers who were single, female, unemployed, had a relative at home who was infected with COVID-19 before the fieldworker’s visit, and had a relative who died of the virus were more likely to display anxiety and fear of COVID-19.

Targeted interventions should be made available to slum dwellers promptly when needed, to help them cope with their mental health problems and prevent dire consequences such as domestic violence and suicidal tendencies.