doi: 10.56294/shp202232
ORIGINAL
Lifestyle in individuals attending a health facility during the COVID-19 pandemic in North Lima
Estilo de vida en personas que asisten a un establecimiento de salud durante la pandemia del COVID-19 en Lima Norte
Rafael Romero-Carazas1 
*, Victor Cornejo-Aparicio2, Jessica Karina
Saavedra-Vasconez3 
, Rita Liss Ramos Perez4 *, Amarelys Román-Mireles5 *
1Universidad Tecnológica del Perú. Perú.
2Universidad Nacional de San Agustín de Arequipa. Arequipa, Perú.
3Universidad Peruana Unión. Lima, Perú.
4Universidad de Panamá. Panamá.
5Universidad de Carabobo. Venezuela.
Cite as: Romero-Carazas R, Cornejo-Aparicio V, Saavedra-Vasconez JK, Ramos Perez RL, Román-Mireles A. Lifestyle in individuals attending a health facility during the COVID-19 pandemic in North Lima. South Health and Policy. 2022; 1:32. https://doi.org/10.56294/shp202232
Submitted: 21-03-2022 Revised: 20-07-2022 Accepted: 18-11-2022 Published: 19-11-2022
Editor: Dr. Telmo Raúl
Aveiro-Róbalo 
Corresponding Author: Rafael Romero-Carazas *
ABSTRACT
Lifestyle allows individuals to adopt behaviours that enable them to develop different habits that improve their living conditions. Therefore, the objective of this research is to determine the lifestyle of people who attend a health facility during the COVID-19 pandemic in northern Lima. This is a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study comprising a total of 160 patients attending a health facility who responded to a questionnaire on sociodemographic data and the Fantastic Questionnaire. The results show that 5 % (n=8) of patients have a lifestyle that is at risk, 8,1 % (n=13) have a poor lifestyle, 52,5 % (n=84) have a regular lifestyle, 16,3 % (n=26) have a good lifestyle, and 18,1 % (n=29) have an excellent lifestyle. In conclusion, educational counselling should be implemented on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle and how to prevent risky behaviours that are harmful to health.
Keywords: Lifestyle; Coronavirus; Pandemic; Health.
RESUMEN
Palabras clave: Estilo de Vida; Coronavirus; Pandemia; Salud.
INTRODUCTION
The social isolation caused by the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has drastically affected lifestyles (EV), from sedentary behaviors to reduced physical activity, from disrupted sleep and HR patterns to altered eating habits. As a result, serious mental and emotional responses have been reported. There was a significant decrease in physical activities, as well as other important daily living activities, including leisure, social engagement, and education.(1)
Lifestyle is an indicator that refers to a set of behaviors and habits that people adopt, which can be good or bad depending on the individual's living conditions.(2,3) Likewise, lifestyle, in simple terms, is a way of life used by individuals, groups, and nations, and is formed in a geographical, economic, political, cultural, and religious context. It refers to characteristics, behaviors, and daily functions such as work environment, activities, entertainment, and diet.(4,5)
However, the new coronavirus disease has caused an unprecedented health crisis, threatening the health of the world's population. Governments took immediate measures such as imposing mandatory lockdowns and a series of social restrictions, all to prevent the spread of infection among the population. This extreme situation led to the emergence of physical and mental health problems in people, as well as the consumption of harmful substances.(6,7)
Currently, people's behaviors and lifestyles have changed, which in turn has affected their health. The health status of many people has deteriorated since the pandemic.(8) Hence, the importance of this study lies in its assessment of the participants' lifestyle, which provides a more specific understanding of their health status and enables action to be taken for their benefit.(9)
In a study conducted in India, a lifestyle study was carried out on 1,000 adolescents and young adults, whose findings indicated that 54,7 % had a high level of nutrition, followed by 21,7 % very high, 18,3 % average, and 5,3 % low. They also showed that the average duration of sleep changed from 6,85 hours to 8,17 hours, 51,9 % experienced an increase in stress levels, 76,4 % reported an increase in food intake, and 38,6 % had a decrease in physical activity.(10)
A study conducted in the Middle East and North Africa during lockdown, involving 2970 participants from 18 countries, reported that during the pandemic, more than 30 % reported weight gain, 6,2 % consumed five or more meals per day compared to 2,2 % before the pandemic (P< 0,001), and 48,8 % did not consume fruit daily. In addition, 39,1 % did not engage in physical activity, and more than 35 % spent more than 5 hours per day in front of screens.(11)
In a study conducted in Colombia, research was carried out on 642 participants, the results of which indicated that 73 % of them spend a significant amount of time in sedentary behaviors. And also indicated inadequate levels of physical activity (53,9 %), nutrition (97,6 %), tobacco use (68,7 %), personality (88,7 %), and introspection (81,3 %).(12)
A study conducted in Mexico on 390 women found that participants had a fantastic lifestyle with a coefficient of 0,121, followed by good with 0,069, and adequate with 0,019. The respondents also showed that family and friends predominated (ME=3,8), physical activity (ME=1,8), nutrition (ME=2,4), tobacco (ME=3,6), alcohol (ME=4,0), sleep and stress (ME=2,6), personality (ME=3,3), and introspection (ME=3,2).(13)
Changes in eating habits and lifestyle during the lockdown period due to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ibero-American countries were evident. A study was conducted on 6,325 participants from Brazil (N=2,171), Argentina (N=1,111), Peru (N=1,174), Mexico (N=686), and Spain (N=1,183). The results indicated that 61,6 % of Spanish participants did not improve or worsen their dietary patterns, followed by 2,7 % who made changes in their food choices, and 15,7 % who switched to less healthy options. While Argentina and Brazil showed the highest proportion of changes toward more nutritious foods, Peruvians and Mexicans were less likely to make healthy changes in their food consumption.(14)
Another study on eating habits and lifestyles conducted in our country with 1176 participants indicates that the majority reported weight gain (1 to 3 kg), and 35,7 % were overweight. Lifestyle habits showed that 54,8 % reported doing physical activity, and 37,2 % slept less. Eating habits before and during the COVID-19 pandemic showed that vegetables, legumes, and eggs saw a significant increase in consumption during social isolation. At the same time, bakery products, meat, snacks, soft drinks, and fast food decreased in consumption.(15)
Therefore, the research objective was to determine the lifestyle of people attending a health facility during the COVID-19 pandemic in northern Lima.
METHOD
Research type and design
The study is quantitative in nature and uses a descriptive, cross-sectional, non-experimental methodology.(16)
Population
The population consists of a total of 160 people who are treated at a health facility in northern Lima.
Inclusion Criteria
· Participants who are treated and are from the jurisdiction of the health facility.
· Participants over 18 years of age.
· Participants who voluntarily agree to participate in the study.
Technique and Instrument
The data collection technique was a survey containing sociodemographic data and the FANTASTICO questionnaire.
The FANTASTICO questionnaire is an instrument containing 30 items distributed across 10 dimensions (family and friends, physical activity, nutrition, tobacco, alcohol, sleep and stress, personality type, introspection, driving and work, and other behaviors), which are rated using a Likert scale with multiple-choice options, where "0 = never," "1 = sometimes," and "2 = always," with a total score ranging from 0 to 100 points and alternatives ranging from "dangerous," "bad," "fair," "good," and "excellent".(17)
The reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach's alpha statistical test, obtaining a coefficient of 0,949 (α > 0,7).
Place and Application of the Instrument
Prior arrangements were made to carry out the study within the health facility, and the necessary information was provided to ensure that participants were aware of the purpose of the research.
RESULTS
Figure 1. Lifestyle of people attending a health facility during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Lima
Figure 1 shows that 5 % of participants have a lifestyle that is at risk, 8,1 % have a poor lifestyle, 52,5 % have a regular lifestyle, 16,3 % have a good lifestyle, and 18,1 % have an excellent lifestyle.
Figure 2. Lifestyle in terms of family and friends among people attending a health facility during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Lima
In figure 2, with regard to the family and friends dimension, 88,1 % have an excellent lifestyle and 11,9 % have a regular lifestyle.
Figure 3. Lifestyle in terms of physical activity among people attending a health facility during the COVID-19 pandemic in northern Lima
In figure 3, with regard to physical activity, 86,9 % have an excellent lifestyle, 2,5 % have a good lifestyle, and 10,6 % have a poor lifestyle.
Figure 4. Lifestyle in terms of nutrition among people attending a health facility during the COVID-19 pandemic in northern Lima
In figure 4, with regard to nutrition, 22,5 % of participants have an excellent lifestyle, 5,6 % have a good lifestyle, 1,9 % have a regular lifestyle, 68,8 % have a good lifestyle, and 22,5 % have a lifestyle that is at risk.
Figure 5. Lifestyle in terms of tobacco use among people attending a health facility during the COVID-19 pandemic in northern Lima
In figure 5, we can see that, with regard to tobacco, 15,6 % of participants have a good lifestyle, 1,3 % have a fair lifestyle, 6,9 % have a poor lifestyle, and 76,3 % have a lifestyle that is at risk.
Figure 6. Lifestyle in terms of alcohol consumption among people attending a health facility during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Lima
In figure 6, with regard to the alcohol dimension, 16,9 % of participants have an excellent lifestyle, 16,9 % have a good lifestyle, 0,6 % have a poor lifestyle, and 65,6 % have a lifestyle that is at risk.
Figure 7. Lifestyle in terms of sleep and stress among people attending a health facility during the COVID-19 pandemic in northern Lima
In figure 7, with regard to the sleep and stress dimension, 15,6 % of participants have an excellent lifestyle, 1,9 % have a good lifestyle, 23,8 % have a regular lifestyle, 52,5 % have a good lifestyle, and 6,3 % have a lifestyle that is at risk.
Figure 8. Lifestyle in terms of personality type among people attending a health facility during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Lima
In figure 8, with regard to the personality type dimension, 69,4 % of participants have an excellent lifestyle, 1,9 % have a good lifestyle, 16,9 % have a regular lifestyle, 6,3 % have a poor lifestyle, and 5,6 % have a lifestyle that is at risk.
Figure 9. Lifestyle in its introspection dimension in people attending a health facility during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Lima
In figure 9, we can see that, with regard to introspection, 16,9 % have an excellent lifestyle, 16,9 % have a good lifestyle, 6,3 % have a fair lifestyle, 55 % have a poor lifestyle, and 5 % have a lifestyle that is at risk.
Figure 10. Lifestyle in terms of sexual control among people attending a health facility during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Lima
In figure 10, with regard to the dimension of sexuality control, 86,9 % of participants have an excellent lifestyle, 0,6 % have a regular lifestyle, 1,3 % have a poor lifestyle, and 11,3 % have a lifestyle that is at risk.
Figure 11. Lifestyle in the other behaviors dimension among people attending a health facility during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Lima
In figure 11, with regard to the other behaviors dimension, 19,4 % of participants have an excellent lifestyle, 15,6 % have a good lifestyle, 53,8 % have a regular lifestyle, 6,3 % have a poor lifestyle, and 5 % have a lifestyle that is at risk.
DISCUSSIONS
The pandemic continues to be with us, capturing all health attention and leaving essential activities such as health promotion aside. In addition, the measures taken during the pandemic, as well as their aftermath on people, allowed many risk factors to emerge, and this new normal altered the EV of many people. Given this, this study set out to assess the HE of the participants, understanding that this would provide information that would indirectly reveal their health status, enabling care measures to be taken to improve their well-being and health.
In terms of lifestyle, according to the results, this could be due to the social environment, social and health determinants, educational level, degree of health awareness, type of diet, and socioeconomic status, given that factors such as poor health, living in precarious conditions, low family income, living alone, being single, inadequate working conditions, and not having a family and social support network are linked to poor health practices.
In terms of dimensions, the results suggest that this may be because they have a good family and social support network that positively influences their QoL and habits. However, another percentage indicated average levels, as not all participants receive support from their family/friends, or these have an inadequate influence on their health habits and life. These results could also be related to the level of education.
Likewise, physical activity and nutrition go hand in hand, given that they take adequate care of their health and undergo regular medical check-ups for good general health and physical well-being. They also point out the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle, overweight, and obesity, which affect health. Each of these factors has a detrimental impact on participants' EV. The pandemic made us more sedentary, and being at home for long periods led to increased food intake.
Similarly, tobacco and alcohol are toxic substances that are harmful to the body and detrimental to health, as they act as a drug on the central nervous system, depressing it and causing changes in a person's behavior and self-control. During the pandemic, faced with uncertainty, fear, and mandatory isolation, many people took refuge in the consumption of harmful substances and alcohol.
Sleep and stress are associated with physical fatigue, deteriorating health, and the presence of stressors. This is due to a sedentary lifestyle and excessive activities that do not allow for rest, which often alter sleep patterns and decrease a person's well-being, triggering feelings of stress due to physiological imbalance.
Finally, it should be noted that the results of this study reveal worrying figures that should prompt reflection and action in the area of health. The pandemic has left us with many problems, such as two years of cuts to primary health care, neglect of health promotion programs, and social restrictions that have affected the physical and mental health of many people. Actions must be resumed to protect the health of the general population by guiding them toward changes in their health, enabling them to resume healthy lifestyle practices, and generating well-being. Nursing staff faces an essential challenge, redoubling their efforts to restore people's health and address the negative consequences of this pandemic.
CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that educational counseling should be implemented on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle and how to prevent risky behaviors that are harmful to health.
It is concluded that health should be promoted, as it allows people to be educated on how to improve their lifestyle and how to eat healthily.
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