Género y salud mental en trabajadoras de salud. Desafíos a partir de las vivencias en el contexto de pandemia por la COVID-19 en Perú

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the mental health of female healthcare workers was adversely affected. Understanding this situation is necessary for anticipating actions in future similar emergencies. Therefore, we interviewed 14 female nurses and doctors from three regions of Peru, analyzing, from a gender perspective, the impact on their mental health and the strategies to cope with it during the pandemic. These healthcare workers faced stressors (work environment and conditions, discrimination, domestic environment and motherhood) that had an impact on their mental health (stress and irritability, fear of infection, guilt regarding patient treatment, and unhealthy habits). In response, they had resources and opportunities, such as religious faith, family and work relationships, employment benefits, and personal time. Consequently, they developed self-care and mutual care strategies to prevent infection, seek safety, establish boundaries, engage in enjoyable activities, support and mourn with colleagues, and receive psychological support. The intertwining of personal and work-related concerns thus became evident. Also, women workers' agencies were recognized in the use of resources, which strengthened work teams. Based on these experiences, the importance of a gender and intersectional perspective in the community framework is acknowledged for the development of public policies and institutional strategies, as well as for team relationships and the daily lives of healthcare workers.