Dimensões de uma pandemia: associação de atividade física e transtornos mentais comuns entre docentes na primeira onda de covid-19 na Bahia, Brasil.

Abstract

The Social distancing measures implemented at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic included closing schools, colleges, gyms and public spaces for physical activity. In education, teaching activities were maintained with the implementation of remote work, modifying teaching practices, work tools and daily habits. The combination of absence or reduction of physical and leisure activities and abrupt changes at work can have adverse effects on teachers' mental health. Objective: To evaluate the association between physical activity and common mental disorders in teachers of the private network, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Cross-sectional study of the websurvey type. Data collection took place in June-July 2020, including teachers from all levels of education in the private education network in Bahia. The SRQ-20 measured common mental disorders (CMD). The practice of physical activity was self-reported and for analysis purposes, the variable was recategorized into a) physically inactive; b) performed physical activity up to 2 days a week (minimum of 60 minutes per week) and c) performed physical activity more than 3 days a week (minimum of 90 minutes). To assess the association between physical activity and CMD, considering the covariates of interest, a Poisson regression analysis was performed, adopting a significance level of 5%. Results: The sample consisted of 1,444 professors. The practice of physical activities was reported by 40.8% (17.7% up to 2x/week and 23.1% ≥ 3x/week). The prevalence of physical inactivity was 74.6% among professors with CMD. The overall prevalence of CMD was 66.7%. CMD was positively associated with physical inactivity (PR=1.3; 95%CI: 1.2–1.5) or insufficient physical activity - up to 2 days a week (PR=1.2; 95%CI: 1.0 -1.4) compared to those who maintained physical activities 3x/week or more, even after adjusting for leisure activities, age group, marital status, teaching in higher education, domestic overload and insecurity about being unemployed. Conclusions: The results showed an inverse relationship between the practice of physical activity and CMD. It was observed that the lower the frequency of physical activity, the higher the prevalence of CMD.