--- title: "Prevalence of mental disorder symptoms among Brazilian primary healthcare workers: systematic revi" id: "bmj-open-9-prevalence-and-factors-associated-with-symptoms-of-common-mental-disorders" canonical_url: "https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/bmj-open-9-prevalence-and-factors-associated-with-symptoms-of-common-mental-disorders" content_type: "clinical_feed_article" specialty: "General" source_name: "BMJ Open" source_url: "http://bmjopen.bmj.com/cgi/content/short/16/8/e118825?rss=1" published_at: "2026-08-18T10:29:16.000Z" evidence_level: "Journal Feed" license: "CC-BY-NC-4.0 / Informational Use" --- # Prevalence of mental disorder symptoms among Brazilian primary healthcare workers: systematic revi ## Provenance & Clinical Metadata - **Canonical URL:** https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/bmj-open-9-prevalence-and-factors-associated-with-symptoms-of-common-mental-disorders - **Specialty:** [General](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/general.md) - **Primary Source:** BMJ Open - **Source URL:** [Original Journal Publication](http://bmjopen.bmj.com/cgi/content/short/16/8/e118825?rss=1) - **Published At:** 2026-08-18T10:29:16.000Z - **Evidence Rating:** Journal Feed ## Executive GIST (TL;DR) - This protocol outlines a systematic review and prevalence meta-analysis of symptoms of **common mental disorders**, **anxiety**, **depression**, **burnout**, **insomnia** and **stress** among primary healthcare (PHC) workers in Brazil. - The review focuses on workers linked to the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), including clinical staff, community health workers and administrative/operational personnel. - Eligible studies are quantitative observational reports from Brazil that use validated instruments for Brazilian populations and specify case definitions or cut-offs for each outcome. - Searches were run across MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL and BVS/LILACS to 16 September 2025, plus grey literature (Google Scholar, CAPES theses/dissertations) and reference screening. - Two independent reviewers will screen citations and full texts in Rayyan, with conflicts resolved by consensus or a third reviewer; risk of bias will use the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist for prevalence studies. - Pooled prevalence estimates will be calculated by outcome using random-effects models (primary approach: binomial models); heterogeneity will be quantified (I², τ², Q) and prediction intervals estimated. - Prespecified subgroup and sensitivity analyses will examine region, occupational category, instrument/cut-off, sampling method, risk of bias and data collection period (prepandemic, pandemic/postpandemic, mixed). - Associated sociodemographic, occupational and organisational factors will be synthesised narratively by domain; meta-analysis of associations considered only if measures and definitions are comparable. - Ethics approval is not required because the review uses secondary published data; dissemination will occur via peer-reviewed publication and scientific meetings. - Contact for research integrity issues is the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Espírito Santo (cep.ufes@hotmail.com). ## Clinical Analysis & Structured Key Points Introduction The mental health of primary healthcare (PHC) workers is a determinant of service quality and sustainability in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). Brazilian observational studies report symptoms of common mental disorders, anxiety, depression, burnout, insomnia and stress among PHC workers, but the evidence is fragmented across settings, occupational categories, instruments and time periods. This protocol describes a systematic review and prevalence meta-analysis to consolidate prevalence estimates and synthesise associated sociodemographic, occupational and organisational factors among PHC workers in Brazil. Methods and analysis We will conduct a systematic review and prevalence meta-analysis in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) and report the completed review following PRISMA 2020. We searched MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL and BVS/LILACS from inception to 16 September 2025, complemented by grey literature searches (Google Scholar and CAPES Theses and Dissertations) and reference-list screening. Eligible studies will be quantitative observational studies conducted in Brazil with workers linked to PHC within the SUS, including health professionals and other occupational groups (eg, community health workers and administrative/operational staff). Studies must report prevalence based on validated instruments for use in Brazilian populations and an explicit case definition/cut-off for common mental disorders, anxiety symptoms, depression, burnout, insomnia and stress. Two independent reviewers will screen records and full texts in Rayyan; disagreements will be resolved by consensus or a third reviewer. Risk of bias will be assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist for prevalence studies. We will pool prevalence estimates by outcome using random-effects models (primary approach: binomial models), quantify heterogeneity (I², ², Q) and estimate prediction intervals. Prespecified subgroup/sensitivity analyses will explore geographic region, occupational category, instrument/cut-off, sampling approach, risk of bias and data collection period, classified as prepandemic, pandemic/postpandemic or mixed. Associated factors will be synthesised as a structured narrative by domain; meta-analysis of associations will be considered only when exposure definitions and effect measures are sufficiently comparable. Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval is not required because this study uses secondary data from published reports. For queries related to research integrity, please contact the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Espírito Santo (cep.ufes@hotmail.com). Findings will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presentations at scientific meetings. ## Related Clinical Research - [Fitspiration vs Thinspiration: Effects on Body and Functionality Appreciation in Young Chinese Wom](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/plos-one-9-rethinking-fitspiration-in-social-media-experimental-insights-from-young.md) - [Kurort Health Walking in a Forest: Short-Term Physiological and Psychological Effects](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/plos-one-3-physiological-and-psychological-outcomes-of-a-community-based-kurort-health.md) - [DadBooster: Internet CBT for Fathers With Postnatal Depression — Randomized Trial](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/pubmed-42678899.md) (DOI: 10.2196/94541) - [Expressive Writing (RECLAIM) RCT for Trans and Gender Expansive Adults: Mental Health Outcomes](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/pubmed-42658633.md) (DOI: 10.1037/amp0001639) - [Digital eMPower program reduces anxiety and depression in adults with chronic conditions: randomiz](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/plos-medicine-0-effect-of-a-digital-intervention-on-mental-health-symptoms-in-adults-with.md) ## Navigation - [← Back to General Feed](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/general.md) - [← All Clinical Specialties](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed.md) ## Medical & Regulatory Disclaimer > [!CAUTION] > MedicHelpline content is structured for research, educational, and professional discovery purposes. It does not constitute individual medical advice, clinical diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. > Always verify dosing, contraindications, and regulatory alerts against official product labeling and primary regulatory sources before clinical decision-making.