Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Use of SOS Médecins Organizations for Mental Health Issues in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Introduction - In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictive measures were implemented to control the outbreak and limit its impact on the healthcare system. While these measures proved effective, concerns were quickly raised about their impact on the population’s mental health. The objective is to investigate the association between the epidemiological context of COVID-19 and the use of SOS Médecins associations for mental health disorders in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Method - A retrospective study based on data from the SOS Médecins associations in Nouvelle-Aquitaine was conducted from January 1, 2018, to June 27, 2021. A logistic regression model was used to characterize MHD-related consultations, and a generalized additive Poisson regression model was used to examine the use of MHD care according to the epidemiological context. Results - Patients who sought care for TSM were primarily women (67%) and adults. Regardless of the phase of the COVID-19 pandemic (whether outside of lockdown or during a lockdown), the rate of TSM-related care-seeking was significantly higher compared to the pre-COVID-19 period. The increase in healthcare utilization for MDD was particularly high during the first lockdown, while it decreased over time, with utilization becoming progressively lower during lockdowns 2 and 3. The number of cases involving anxiety disorders, psychoses, and other psychiatric disorders was significantly higher during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a significant increase in cases of depression was observed during the third lockdown. Conclusion—The SOS Médecins data highlighted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns on the mental health of residents of Nouvelle-Aquitaine. This study once again demonstrates the value of these data for assessing health impacts.
Author(s): Meurice Laure, Vilain Pascal, Larrieu Sophie, Grelet Julien, Muller Eilika, Sladeczek Morgane, Chemin Frédéric, Filleul Laurent
Publishing year: 2022
Pages: 298-306
Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2022, n° 17, p. 298-306
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