Perception of discrimination in a group of colombian general practitioners during the covid-19 pandemic and its relation to labor and psychological factors

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the frequency of perception of discrimination and its association with occupational stress, anxiety and fear of COVID-19 in Colombian general practitioners. Methods: Cross-sectional study that belongs to Dinámicas Psicosociales Universitarias project with institutional endorsement from the Universidad de Cartagena, Colombia. A group of Colombian general practitioners was invited by social networks to fill out, on the first five days of April-2020, a Google Forms © form with questions about fear and opinions regarding COVID-19 with the tools Test of Labor Stress, Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Fear of COVID-19 Scale. The study was anonymous and voluntary with acceptance of terms and informed consent. For the analysis of the information, two groups were formed: with perception of discrimination and without perception of discrimination, according to the answer to the question “Having had perception of discrimination due to their condition as a physician”. Logistic regression was performed between perception of discrimination with anxiety, occupational stress and fear of COVID-19. Results: 531 Colombian doctors participated, half between 20-30 years. 207 (39%) reported perceived discrimination. Pandemic-related anxiety, stress and fear and professional work were highly prevalent and more frequent in the group with perceived discrimination (p <0.05). The presence and severity of anxiety, stress and fear of COVID-19 were associated with a greater presence of discrimination perception, while feeling protected by their work superiors was associated with a lower perception of discrimination. Conclusion: Two out of five participants reported perception of discrimination, a social phenomenon that was associated with anxiety, stress and fear during the COVID-19 pandemic.