ESTUDO QUALITATIVO ACERCA DAS VIVÊNCIAS DO DISTANCIAMENTO SOCIAL DURANTE A PANDEMIA DE COVID-19 E SEU IMPACTO NA SAÚDE MENTAL DE PACIENTES EM UM PEQUENO MUNICÍPIO BRASILEIRO

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated widespread adoption of non-pharmacological interventions, with social distancing emerging as a cornerstone strategy endorsed by global health authorities. While effective in curbing viral transmission, prolonged social distancing has been linked to significant psychosocial and economic repercussions, including heightened anxiety, social isolation, and disruptions in healthcare access. In Brazil—where mitigation policies were decentralized and inconsistently implemented—regional disparities in pandemic experiences warrant further investigation.

Objective: This qualitative study investigates the lived experiences of patients in a rural Basic Health Unit (UBS) in Paraná, focusing on the psychosocial, economic, and healthcare-related consequences of social distancing measures during the pandemic. Methods: ​​Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 UBS patients between May and December 2021. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and subjected to thematic analysis using line-by-line coding. Results: Nineteen patients took part in this study. The analysis revealed three major themes directly related to social isolation measures: I) Socioeconomic impact during the COVID-19 pandemic; II) Patients' experiences and perceptions of health services during COVID-19 and III) Impact of social distancing on patients' mental health. Social distancing in some cases intensified mental health problems due to isolation and lack of social interaction, especially with friends and family. Most patients claimed feelings of fear, anxiety, and concern for their own lives and those of their families. Besides the lack of social interaction and routine changes, economic insecurity was revealed as an underlying cause of this mental state. Several participants expressed concerns as they had to discontinue their activities leading to an income reduction. Participants reported that some healthcare interruptions were due to their own fear of contamination within healthcare settings and interruption of elective health services. There was approval regarding the pandemic information services provided by health professionals. However, it was noted that they should have been more prepared to deal with this situation. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that even rural communities with less stringent COVID-19 restrictions experienced significant mental health impacts and reduced healthcare access. While containment measures effectively limited viral transmission, they concurrently generated psychosocial consequences and disrupted essential care services. The findings highlight three critical needs: (1) integrating mental health services into primary care; (2) implementing active monitoring for vulnerable populations; and (3) developing protocols to maintain chronic care continuity during future health emergencies. These results underscore the necessity for balanced public health approaches that equally prioritize infection control and psychosocial wellbeing, particularly in rural settings.

Keywords: Pandemic; COVID-19; Social distancing; Mental health