The End of Life Accompanied by COVID-19: A Qualitative Study on Grief During the First OutBreak In Peru (Part I)

Abstract

Due to the massive deaths and high level of contagion brought about by COVID-19, burial practices and the way we bury our dead are being affected by SARS-CoV-2 confinement and control measures. Here, we aimed to examine the changing of death, dying, and mourning during the first wave and quarantine applied in Peru with the arrival of COVID-19 in 2020. Using a qualitative approach, 15 participants who lost a family member because of COVID-19 were interviewed by telephone and video call. Our results revealed that death in isolation, the loss of rituals, and the farewell to relatives have dramatically affected family members. Peruvian funeral practices were altered by health provisions, making it a challenge to accompany relatives at the end of life. This way of coping with death can affect family wellbeing, for which no interventions have yet been proposed to improve the quality of life during bereavement.

Prolonged grief in relatives of deceased patients due to COVID-19 is associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms: A survey-based study in Peru

“…These results parallel previous studies conducted in Peru during the initial outbreak, which highlighted the inability of relatives to perform customary funeral practices due to confinement measures. 7 Additionally, our findings resemble those found in a Portuguese population like ours (66.9% women, average age of 37.3 years), reporting a 30.7% prevalence of anxiety symptoms and a 10.2% prevalence of depression during the pandemic. 6 …”

“…To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first investigation into prolonged grief and associated mental health issues within the Peruvian population. While we previously provided insights into the bereavement experiences of relatives of COVID-19 patients, 7 this study adds a crucial dimension by elucidating the relationship between grief, anxiety, and depression during the COVID-19 lockdown. Furthermore, our research contributes significantly to the understanding of death and bereavement in Latin America, as it is one of the few studies conducted in this region, 26 thus filling an important gap in the literature.…”

“… 36 In Peru, it has been observed that the lack of communication with hospitalized family members affected by COVID-19 has heightened concerns and generated distress, further exacerbating the experience of prolonged grief. 7 Therefore, it is crucial to ensure high-quality communication even in the face of restrictions, as this can help prevent the onset of prolonged grief or PGD. This is especially important, as individuals bereaved due to COVID-19 are at a higher risk of functional impairment, which can significantly impact their overall well-being and physical functionality.…”

“…However, the COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly transformed grief rituals, ushering in unprecedented changes. 5 – 7 The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated excess mortality associated directly with the disease and, indirectly, with the impact of the pandemic on health systems and society, resulting in the death of more than 14.9 million people between January 2020 and December 2021. 8 In addition, by June 2022, about 6.3 million deaths would have occurred worldwide because of COVID-19.…”

Geospatial analysis of cardiovascular mortality before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru: analysis of the national death registry to support emergency management in Peru

“…For instance, the United States has witnessed higher mortality rates in New York compared to other states like Massachusetts or Louisiana ( 31 ). These disparities could also be influenced by socio-economic factors, access to medical care, suboptimal health response, and other contextual variables specific to each region ( 35 , 36 ).…”