Salud mental y Covid-19 en la población trabajadora en Guayaquil, Ecuador

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on global public health, affecting not only physical health but also the mental health of the working population. In this context, the objective of this study was to assess the mental health status of the working population in the city of Guayaquil. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in which a total of 175 workers were recruited through non-probabilistic convenience sampling, applying the DASS-21 (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale) questionnaire. Of the 141 workers selected, 20.5% presented symptoms of depression, 29.1% manifested anxiety, and 13.5% reported stress. The results provide quantitative evidence of the pandemic's impact on mental health and its correlation with occupational variables, determining that the mental health of the working population is seriously compromised, which affects their job performance. Given these findings, it is recommended to establish psychological intervention teams, implement work activity and shift rotation systems, and provide continuous medical follow-up and counseling to workers.