1
Revista Ecuatoriana de Ciencia, Tecnología e
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Código ISSN 2588-0551
Ochoa-Andrade M., Recalde J.,
Dueñas I., Basurto L., Orozco F.,
Alvarez M., Sigchos J., Zurita
E., Vizcaíno A., Chancusig A.,
Pañega M. Impact on mental
health during the rst fteen days
of connement by COVID-19 in
Ecuador INSPILIP. 2023; Vol. 7,
Num. 23.
Scientic magazine INSPILIP.
Volume 7, Number 23,
September - December 2023.
The author declares to be free of any
personal or commercial association
that may involve a conict of interest
in connection with the article, as
well as having respected the ethical
principles of research, such as having
requested authorizations from the
institution where the study was
conducted, permission to use the data,
informed consents and in the case of
observational studies and clinical
trials, authorization from a CEISH,
ARCSA, Environment, among
others, according to the category. In
addition, the license to publish images
of the person or persons appearing in
the manuscript. Therefore, INSPILIP
is not responsible for any aectation
to third parties, neither INSPI as
publishing entity, nor the Editor, the
responsibility of the publication is of
absolute responsibility of the authors.
Patricio Vega Luzuriaga
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
iD
Ochoa-Andrade Miguel
a, b
, * a8_miguel@hotmail.com
iD
Recalde-Moreno Joao
b
, joaorecaldee@gmail.com
iD
Dueñas Iván
c
, ivand79@gmail.com
iD
Basurto-Vera Leonardo
a
, geovannylego@gmail.com
iD
Orozco Fernanda
a
, mafer563@hotmail.com
iD
Álvarez Mayra
a
, mayra.alvareza@iess.gob.ec
iD
Sigchos Jorge
a
, davidmicjdsc@gmail.com
iD
Zurita Eliana
a
, elianahbo1976@hotmail.com
iD
Vizcaíno Ángel
a
, angelxavier1992@hotmail.com
iD
Chancusig Alejandro
a
, alejomh17206@yahoo.es
iD
Pañega Mónica
d
, monikmerydey@gmail.com
a. General Hospital of the South of Quito, EISS, Quito, Ecuador.
b. Central University of Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador.
C. Pontical Catholic University of Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador.
d. Vicente Corral Moscoso Hospital, Cuenca, Ecuador.
*Correspondence: Miguel Jacob Ochoa Andrade Email: a8_miguel@hotmail.com
Identication of authors' responsibility and contribution: The authors declare having contributed
similarly to the original idea (MOA, JRM), study design (MOA, JRM, ID), data collection (MOA, JRM,
LB, FO, MA, JS, HZ, MP), data analysis (ID, MOA), writing the draft and writing the article (MOA, JRM,
ID, LB, FO, MA, JS, HZ, MP).
Date of Entry: 19/6/2023.
Date of Aproval: 5/9/2023.
Date of Publication: 5/9/2023.
Impact on mental health during the rst fteen days of connement by COVID-19 in
Ecuador
Impacto en la salud mental durante los primeros quince días de connamiento por COVID-19 en Ecuador
Original Article
Open Access
Abstract
Citation
Introduction. During the COVID-19 pandemic, several countries began connement
due to the viral spread in the population, with various mental consequences due to
this measure. Objetive. To determine the levels of anxiety and depression in health
personnel and the general population during the rst fteen days of connement by
COVID-19 in Ecuador. Methodology. A cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried
out. On May 10, 2020 (the rst fteen days of connement due to COVID-19), surveys
were applied based on validated questionnaires from BAI and BECK, with prior
informed consent to 500 rural health professionals and the general population (126
families). for determination of anxiety and depression. Sociodemographic variables
were collected, all the information was compiled in Microsoft Excel 2019. Qualitative
and quantitative variables were analyzed, a bivariate and multivariate analysis was
performed, parsimonious and saturated models were compared, using the plausibility
test. Results. Information was collected from 421 people, the female gender
predominated, anxiety and depression were more frequent in the general population,
anxiety was found in 28,59% (n=117/421) and 27,77% (n=103/421) depression in the
population, people from the coastal and eastern regions reported a lower probability
of presenting depression versus the highland region. Conclusions. It was evidenced
that anxiety symptoms were more frequent in men and depression in women. It was
possible to determine that 3,8% (n=16) and 7.84% (n=33) corresponded to levels of
depression and severe anxiety, respectively.
Keywords: Anxiety, Depression, COVID-19, Controlled Connement, Concurrent
Symptoms.
DOI: 10.31790/inspilip.v7i23.528
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Resumen
Introducción. Durante la pandemia por
COVID-19, varios países iniciaron connamiento
debido a la propagación viral en la población,
con varias consecuencias mentales debido a
esta medida. Objetivo. Determinar los niveles de
ansiedad y depresión en el personal de salud y
población general durante los primeros quince días
del connamiento por COVID-19 en el Ecuador.
Metodología. Se realizó un estudio transversal
analítico. El 10 de mayo de 2020 (quince primeros
días de connamiento por COVID-19), se aplicaron
encuestas con base a cuestionarios validados de
BAI y BECK, con previo consentimiento informado
a 500 profesionales de la salud rural y a población
general (126 familias), para determinación de
ansiedad y depresión. Se recolectaron variables
sociodemográcas, toda la información fue
recopilada en Microsoft Excel 2019. Se analizaron
variables cualitativas y cuantitativas, se realizó un
análisis bivariado y multivariado, se compararon
modelos parsimoniosos y saturados, mediante el
test de verosimilitud. Resultados. Se recolectó
información de 421 personas, predominó el género
femenino, la ansiedad y depresión con mayor
frecuencia en población general, se encontró
ansiedad en el 28,59% (n=117/421) y 27,77%
(n=103/421) depresión en la población, las
personas de la región costa y oriente reportaron
menor probabilidad de presentar depresión versus
la región sierra. Conclusión. Se evidenció que la
sintomatología para ansiedad fue más frecuente
en hombres y la depresión en mujeres. Se logró
determinar que el 3,8% (n=16) y el 7,84% (n=33)
correspondieron a niveles de depresión y ansiedad
grave respectivamente.
Palabras clave: Ansiedad, Depresión,
COVID-19, Connamiento Controlado, Síntomas
Concomitantes.
Introduction
The COVID-19 disease, caused by the infection
of coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2), which generates
severe acute respiratory syndrome, was rst
identied in Wuhan, Hubei, China in December
2019 and declared a global pandemic by the
World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11,
2020 (1). The COVID-19 pandemic has been a
subject of ongoing research and uncertainties due
to its complexity in development, mutations, and
clinical presentation. Ocially, for Ecuador, the
rst case of coronavirus was reported on February
29, 2020. According to reports from the National
Service for Risk and Disease Management of
Ecuador, 491,185 conrmed cases were reported
as of August 6, 2021 (2).
Due to the rapid spread of this virus, the decision
was made to enforce quarantine, generating
impacts on the mental health of the population.
Pre-pandemic data on psychiatric disorders
according to the WHO represented over a fth of
the global burden of morbidity, with depression
and alcohol consumption being its major
representatives, noting that these two conditions
coexist with anxiety disorders (3). Globally and
regionally, negative psychological eects such
as anger, confusion, post-traumatic distress
were observed, as well as the perception and/or
experience of a lack of supplies for connement,
infecting a family member, economic losses,
unemployment, among others. All these factors
constituted negative determinants leading to the
disruption of mental health in patients and their
families (3).
In healthcare workers, factors such as direct contact
with COVID-19 patients and the experience of
witnessing the death of infected patients led to
the onset of anxiety, depression, frustration, fear,
post-traumatic stress, and even suicide (4,5).
Anxiety and depression are two disorders that
should be constantly evaluated in the population.
The data found are fundamental to determining
the psychological impact on those who experience
them, with the aim of designing preventive and
curative interventions, which are responsibilities
of national and international public health
importance.
The objective of this study is to determine the
impact on mental health (anxiety/depression) and
compare the results between healthcare personnel
and the general population during the rst 15 days
of connement (red alert) due to the COVID-19
pandemic in Ecuador in individuals over 15 years
of age.
Methodology
A cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted.
Surveys were administered on May 10, 2020,
marking the rst 15 days of absolute lockdown due
to the red trac light system implemented in all
provinces of Ecuador since April 26, 2020. Health
personnel working during this period and the
general population under total connement were
surveyed. Sociodemographic data were collected,
and variables were measured to determine anxiety
and depression in both groups. Exclusion criteria
included foreign individuals and those who
denied to the informed consent for the disclosure
of collected information for academic-scientic
purposes.
DOI: 10.31790/inspilip.v7i23.528
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Data Collection and Mental Health Impact
Assessment.
An online survey was conducted and sent to
500 rural health professionals (doctors, nurses,
midwives) from the 2019 graduating class who
were working in various health units in the year
2020. Additionally, the survey was distributed
to 126 students in the preparatory course at
the Central University of Ecuador in clinical
laboratory, obstetrics, and radiology programs.
The aim was to encourage responses from family
members outside the healthcare eld.
At the beginning of the online survey, a declaration
of informed consent was sought for the use of
collected data. Demographic information, such
as age, gender, marital status, education level,
ethnicity, province of residence, urban or rural
area, employment at the time, socioeconomic
group, and occupation (healthcare personnel or
general population), was collected. Participants
were also asked about personal or family
history of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection,
pre-COVID-19 history, the use of antidepressant
and anxiolytic medications categorized as "history
of mental disorders."
To determine anxiety and depression, the BAI
and BECK questionnaires were employed,
respectively. These questionnaires include
subvariables and are coded with scores of 0 (no),
1 (mild), 2 (moderate), and a score of 3 (severe)
for the presence of characteristics of these two
disorders. The collected variables were compiled
using Microsoft Excel 2019.
Statistical Analysis.
Dichotomous variables were described as
percentages and frequencies, as well as multinomial
variables, both ordinal and non-ordinal. Numeric
variables with a normal distribution were described
using standard deviation and mean.
For bivariate analysis, the Chi-square test was
conducted to assess whether there were signicant
dierences in the proportions of anxiety and
depression among dierent categories of
explanatory variables. When there were fewer
than ve observations per cell, the Fisher's exact
test was applied.
For multivariate analyses, logistic regression
models were employed. Saturated models were
initially created, including all variables that were
statistically signicant with a p-value less than
0.25 during the univariate analyses. Once the
saturated model was constructed, variables that
were not signicant according to the Wald test
were sequentially excluded. Finally, parsimonious
models were compared to saturated models using
the likelihood ratio test.
Several sensitivity analyses were performed:
(1) participants with high anxiety or depression
were excluded, (2) unemployed participants were
excluded, and (3) participants with COVID-19
were excluded.
Ethical Considerations.
The study was based on an online survey and
adhered to the ethical principles of the Declaration
of Helsinki. We acknowledge the crucial
importance of approval from a human research
ethics committee to conduct studies involving
human participation. However, the study conducted
during the peak of the pandemic did not involve
any interactions that could be considered invasive
or sensitive for participants. The survey questions
focused on general issues, and no sensitive
personal information was collected, ensuring the
privacy and anonymity of the participants.
Furthermore, at that critical moment, our study
aimed to inform and support urgent public health
measures that could result in signicant benets
for society. Despite not obtaining formal approval
due to exceptional circumstances, we consistently
adhered to basic principles of bioethics,
including respect for autonomy, non-malecence,
benecence, and justice.
Results
According to the conducted analysis, there was
a higher frequency of women, individuals with
single marital status, those with higher education,
mestizo ethnicity, middle socioeconomic group,
and the region with the highest number of
respondents was the highlands. Most respondents
resided in urban areas, were unemployed, and
lived with other family members. During the
survey period, 10% of respondents reported
having a family member who tested positive for
COVID-19, and 3% of respondents reported being
infected with the disease.
Despite the lockdown, 36% of the population
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reported engaging in physical exercise. This was
more common among individuals classied as
the general population. Regarding pre-COVID-19
history, 5.7% of the population reported
having a previous diagnosis related to the use
of antidepressant and anxiolytic medications
categorized as "history of mental disorders."
Of the total respondents, 3.8% and 7.84%
were found to have severe depression
and anxiety, respectively (Table 1)
Source: Self-prepared
* Previous history before the COVID-19 pandemic,
the use of antidepressant and anxiolytic medications
categorized as "history of mental disorders"
It was found that 28.59% (n=117/421) of the
analyzed population experienced anxiety. The
variables, along with their respective categories,
that were statistically signicant concerning the
presence versus absence of anxiety symptoms
were gender, employment status, activities
at home, pre-COVID-19 history, and the use
of antidepressant and anxiolytic medications
categorized as "history of mental disorders." The
presence of symptoms was more predominant in
men, unemployed individuals, those not engaging
in physical activity, the general population, and
individuals without a history of previous mental
disorders (Table 2).
* Previous history before the COVID-19 pandemic,
the use of antidepressant and anxiolytic medications
categorized as "history of mental disorders."
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It was found that 27.77% (n=103/421) of the
analyzed population experienced depression.
According to the analysis conducted among the
population with the presence versus absence of
depression symptoms, statistically signicant
variables included gender, place of residence,
activities during connement, and previous mental
disorders. The presence of depression symptoms
was more predominant in women, individuals
residing in urban areas, those engaging in physical
exercise, and individuals without previous history
related to pre-COVID-19, the use of antidepressant
and anxiolytic medications categorized as "history
of mental disorders" (Table 3).
* Previous history before the COVID-19 pandemic,
the use of antidepressant and anxiolytic medications
categorized as "history of mental disorders"
After conducting multivariate logistic regression
analyses to estimate the odds ratios of experiencing
anxiety (Table 4), it was observed that women
had a higher likelihood of developing anxiety
(aOR=2.67, 95% CI: 1.59 to 4.50) compared to
men. There were also dierences in the likelihood
of developing anxiety based on ethnicity.
Specically, considering the mestizo group as
the reference, indigenous and Afro-descendant
individuals had a higher likelihood of experiencing
anxiety (aOR=3.52, 95% CI: 0.95 to 13.01; and
aOR=1.43, 95% CI: 0.12 to 16.85, respectively).
However, these associations were not statistically
signicant. On the other hand, belonging to
the white ethnicity was associated with a lower
probability of having anxiety compared to mestizos
(aOR=0.11, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.97). Finally, it was
found that having no pre-COVID-19 history, the
use of antidepressant and anxiolytic medications
categorized as "history of mental disorders" was
associated with a lower likelihood of anxiety (95%
CI: 0.04 to 0.3).
In Table 5, the results of the multivariate analyses
and odds ratio estimates for experiencing
depression are presented. It was found that female
gender was associated with a higher frequency
of depression (aOR=1.89, 95% CI: 1.11 to 3.22).
Additionally, having a pre-COVID-19 history
and the use of antidepressant and anxiolytic
medications categorized as a "history of mental
disorders" were associated with a higher
prevalence of depression (aOR=3.56, 95% CI:
0.67 to 0.40). On the other hand, being married
or in a domestic partnership was associated with a
lower probability of depression compared to other
marital statuses, such as widowed or divorced
(aOR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.24 to 0.77). Similarly,
middle and lower-middle socioeconomic statuses
had a lower likelihood of depression compared to
the high socioeconomic level (aOR=0.32, 95%
CI: 0.10 to 0.97; and aOR=0.48, 95% CI: 0.28 to
0.81, respectively). Finally, individuals living in
the coastal and eastern regions, when compared to
those residing in the highlands, had lower chances
of experiencing depression (aOR=0.49, 95% CI:
0.26 to 0.90; and aOR=0.19, 95% CI: 0.24 to 1.56).
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*Pre-COVID-19 pandemic history, the use of
antidepressant and anxiolytic drugs classied as
"history of mental disorders".
*Pre-COVID-19 pandemic history, the use of
antidepressant and anxiolytic drugs classied as
"history of mental disorders".
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Discussion
The imposed lockdown, both in our country and
globally, resulted in various negative personal
feelings, being an unpleasant experience for
those who went through it during the COVID-19
pandemic. Dierent aspects such as loss of
freedom, lack of control, worry, and overall
negative circumstances changed the mental health
of a signicant portion of the population.
In our study, considering the impact on mental
health as previously mentioned, we demonstrated
that being female and having a history before the
COVID-19 pandemic of using antidepressant and
anxiolytic medications classied as "history of
mental disorders" were associated with a higher
likelihood of anxiety and depression among the
surveyed healthcare workers. Participants who
self-identied as indigenous had a higher chance
of showing anxiety symptoms; on the other
hand, there was a lesser association with anxiety
symptoms when participants identied themselves
as white. We also found that being married or
in a domestic partnership, having a middle or
lower-middle socioeconomic status, and living
in the eastern or coastal regions of Ecuador were
associated with a lower likelihood of depression
compared to their counterparts.
Likewise, ndings by other researchers who have
analyzed mental health determinants during the
COVID-19 lockdown, our study conrmed that
the female population suered a greater impact on
their mental health, experiencing more anxiety and
depression. This greater eect on females appears
to be linked to a higher burden of work-related
stress (for those working for compensation) and at
home, as women address the needs of all family
members, especially children, older adults, and
people with disabilities.
This suggests that gender roles in Ecuador exhibit
a clear sexist tendency and operate within a
patriarchal environment (7).
We have found an association between indigenous
and Afro-descendant ethnicity and a higher
prevalence of depressive symptoms. Like other
health eects, such as a higher prevalence of
non-communicable chronic diseases, especially
in the Afro-descendant population compared
to white and mestizo ethnicities, the impact of
the pandemic also seems to be greater based on
participants' ethnic self-identication. There
is wide scientic evidence demonstrating the
health gradient as ethnic groups become more
vulnerable. Additionally, it seems that this nding
is independent of economic and educational
conditions and is likely explained by a signicant
burden of racism and discrimination, especially in
urban environments like those in this survey.
While we found that anxiety is not associated
with socioeconomic strata, there does appear to
be a higher prevalence of depression with higher
socioeconomic strata compared to intermediate
strata. It is challenging to explain this situation;
however, we speculate that the frustration of the
middle classes due to the inability to carry out
their work activities may have inuenced the
participants' mood, resulting from the reduced
mobility and socialization to which they were
likely accustomed prior to the pandemic (8).
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic was a
severely stressful and chaotic event for many
people. The fear and anxiety surrounding
the emergence of a new disease and medical
uncertainty triggered strong emotions in both
adults and children. The measures imposed by the
WHO, such as social distancing, caused people
to feel isolated and lonely, leading to increased
stress, anxiety, and fear of new disease outbreaks.
Symptoms of depression and anxiety signicantly
increase as social connection and physical activity
decrease, as humans are inherently social beings,
and depriving them of their daily environment
hinders their ability to soothe their emotional state.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental
health represented a signicant health problem,
especially for healthcare workers, leading to
conditions with a profound impact on their daily
and professional lives. Their mental exhaustion
may prevent them from performing eectively in
their work environment.
In contrast to other studies analyzed, we found
that the majority of individuals with symptoms
of anxiety and depression were men, while in
our study, statistics show that men are the most
aected in this case. We assume that this occurs
because, in most households, men are the head and
provider, and due to the limitations of not being
able to work, they enter a process of depression
and anxiety.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental
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health represents a signicant problem aecting
daily life. Following the onset of the pandemic,
control and prevention measures implemented to
prevent the spread of the coronavirus included
social distancing, mask-wearing, hand hygiene, and
home connement. Due to this novel worldwide
experience, it was necessary to investigate and
contribute to understanding the impact on mental
health.
Sociodemographic variables such as single marital
status, mestizo ethnicity, residing in the Sierra
region, living with or having family members,
not contracting COVID-19 during connement,
and engaging in physical exercise were the most
common factors associated with anxiety and
depression. Unfortunately, these data couldn't
be compared with other reports as they are not
available in our country.
The middle socioeconomic stratum was the most
common among respondents at 66%, similar to
ndings reported in the study by Nacimba CA
and colleagues, with approximately 80% (9).
Urban residence coincided with high rates of
depression and anxiety (p=0.007), consistent with
results from other research, such as Puchaicela S
and colleagues, where predominantly moderate
to extremely severe anxiety and depression were
reported in over 80% (10). The higher education
level, concerning anxiety and depression levels,
was not statistically signicant, in line with studies
by Nacimba CA, Puchaicela S, and colleagues
(9,10).
The unemployment rates are high, and individuals
with positive criteria for anxiety, concerning the
variable of being unemployed, are statistically
signicant with p=0.026, while for individuals
with depression, it was not specic, aligning with
the ndings in the study by Puchaicela S and
colleagues (10).
In our study, the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated
that the impact on mental health, with symptoms
indicative of anxiety and depression, had high rates
more frequently in the general population than in
healthcare personnel in Ecuador. It was evident
that anxiety symptoms were more frequent in men,
and depression was more prevalent in women,
with p=0.001 and p=0.025, respectively. The
gender trend in depression has been conrmed by
the study of Dosil and colleagues (11). However,
anxiety has not been reected in other research
with a male tendency, making it an important
nding in this report.
Regarding respondents' contact with people with
COVID-19, Dosil, and colleagues indicated that
over 50% of participants had this history, while
in our study, this characteristic was not signicant
due to low trends of association with individuals
with COVID-19 (11).
According to the evaluation, minimal anxiety and
depression are the most frequent and characteristic
levels in our study, which is conrmed by other
research (12), with predominant percentages in a
2 to 1 ratio, more commonly seen in our report.
During the rst fteen days of the COVID-19
connement, the lowest percentages of mental
symptomatology were severe anxiety at 7.84%
and moderate depression at 6.89%. In other
reports of similar studies, severe depression had
lower percentages, and severe or extreme anxiety
showed higher gures in the classication levels
of this pathological condition (11).
The results of our study should be interpreted
considering the possible similarities and dierences
between healthcare workers and those who are
not. Regarding potential similarities in general
characteristics, both healthcare personnel and the
general population are exposed to stressful factors
that can impact their mental health (13), although
the specic factors may vary. On the other hand,
concerning potential dierences, and based on
general knowledge, healthcare personnel tend to
have a higher level of education, which could be
related to a better understanding and management
of health-related issues, including mental health
(14). Also, healthcare personnel might lean towards
a medium to high socioeconomic group due to
their stable and generally well-paid employment,
which could provide them with more resources to
handle stress and other factors related to mental
health (15).
It's worth mentioning that healthcare workers are
exposed to a unique set of occupational stress
factors, including close contact with diseases
and often demanding work schedules, which
could uniquely aect their mental health (16).
Additionally, healthcare personnel may have
better coping skills and resilience due to their
training and experience in handling high-pressure
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Revista Ecuatoriana de Ciencia, Tecnología e
Innovación en Salud Pública
Código ISSN 2588-0551
situations, although this could be a double-edged
sword if it leads to neglecting their mental health
(17). Lastly, healthcare workers have better
access to healthcare services, which could impact
variables such as the early diagnosis and treatment
of mental health conditions (18).
This study underscores the importance of mental
health for the overall well-being of the population,
especially in times of crisis like the COVID-19
pandemic we have experienced. It is crucial for
research and the development of measures to
ensure access to the necessary resources for the care
and prevention of future mental health problems.
Governments should prioritize addressing mental
health issues on their agenda to tackle current and
future challenges.
Peer Review
The manuscript underwent blind peer review and
was promptly approved by the Editorial Team of
the INSPILIP journal.
Data Availability
The data supporting this manuscript is available
upon request to the corresponding author.
Acknowledgments and Contributors
The authors express their gratitude to the INSPILIP
Digital Scientic Journal for its openness to
the academic and scientic contributions from
our country. Additionally, we appreciate the
collaboration in survey dissemination from Dr.
Patricio Abril, Dr. Kevin Miranda, and Dr. Jorge
Guzmán.
Funding
Self-funded.
Conicts of Interest
The authors declare no conicts of interest.
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