Fear of COVID-19, food insecurity and anxiety in women dwelling in Joao Pessoa, Paraiba: a cross-sectional study

Objective To describe the fear caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and to analyze the association of food insecurity and fear of COVID-19 as anxiety predictors in women who are Sistema Unico de Saude users. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 with 73 women out of 118 who were followed up in a cohort study in the municipality of Joao Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil. The women were selected in health units before the pandemic and their telephone contact enabled remote data collection. Socioeconomic and demographic information, food insecurity, fear of COVID-19, and anxiety were assessed. The Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale were used. An association between variables was performed using the chi-square test and a logistic regression verified the independent effect of variables concerning anxiety. A 5% significance level was considered. Results The median age of the women was 33 years and the median per capita family income was BRL 665.33. Most of them lived with a partner and declared themselves mostly black or brown. Lower income and greater severity of food insecurity were associated with greater fear of COVID-19, and this feeling increased the probability of women being in a high anxiety state (OR=3.167). Conclusion The most vulnerable women, with lower income and greater food insecurity had more fear of COVID-19 which increased their anxiety. Even after the pandemic is over, the effects of these events can maintain a state of mental distress that must be considered and properly cared for.