Abstract

NUNES CRUZ, Carolinne da Silva et al. Relation Between Mental Health of Elderly People in Distrito Federal and Exposure to Informations about COVID-19. Rev. cuba. inf. cienc. salud [online]. 2024, vol.35  Epub Mar 20, 2024. ISSN 2307-2113.

In order to know the time and frequency with which elderly are exposed to news and information about COVID-19 through different media and relate them with depressive and anxiety symptoms, 154 elderly (M = 69.06) from Distrito Federal answered an online questionnaire. The sample was composed mostly of women, white, educated, and with income from retirement and/or pension. It was found that television was the media most used by participants, followed by social networks. Considering demographic characteristics, younger elders (60 to 74 years old) and with complete college education had more exposure to news through social networks than the older ones and with less education. Elderly with screening for depression and generalized anxiety disorder remained exposed more hours to information about COVID-19 broadcast on television than unscreened elderly. In addition, those with screening for depression reported greater frequency of exposure to this content on television and social media. The results of this study reveal the need for health promotion and prevention measures planning specific to the elderly population to deal with the consequences of the pandemic and especially infodemic of COVID-19.

Keywords : COVID-19; aged; communications media; mental health.