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Prevalence of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress among the General Population in Saudi Arabia during Covid-19 Pandemic

Author

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  • Hasan Saeed Alamri

    (Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia)

  • Abdullah Algarni

    (Ministry of Health, Abha 11176, Saudi Arabia)

  • Shehata F. Shehata

    (Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia
    Biostatistics Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, 65 Garidet St., El Horeya Rd., El Shatby, Alexandria 21526, Egypt)

  • Ali Al Bshabshe

    (Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia)

  • Nada N. Alshehri

    (Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia)

  • Abdalla M. ALAsiri

    (Ministry of Health, Abha 11176, Saudi Arabia)

  • Amjad H. Hussain

    (Medical City, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia)

  • Abdulrahman Y. Alalmay

    (Medical City, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia)

  • Eman A. Alshehri

    (Ministry of Health, Abha 11176, Saudi Arabia)

  • Yahya Alqarni

    (Critical Care Medicine, National Guard Hospital, Riyadh 14611, Saudi Arabia)

  • Norah F. Saleh

    (Ministry of Health, Abha 11176, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a significant impact on public mental health. Our objective was to assess prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among the general population in Saudi Arabia during this pandemic. A descriptive cross-sectional approach was used targeting all accessible populations in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from participants using an electronic pre-structured questionnaire. Psychological impact was assessed using the Arabic version of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). A total of 1597 participants completed the survey. In total, 17.1% reported moderate to severe depressive symptoms; 10% reported moderate to severe anxiety symptoms; and 12% reported moderate to severe stress levels. Depression, anxiety, and stress were significantly higher among females, younger respondents, and health care providers. Depression was higher among smokers, singles, and non-working respondents. Anxiety was higher among those reporting contacts with COVID-19 positive cases, previously quarantined and those with chronic health problems. Our findings reaffirm the importance of providing appropriate knowledge and specialized interventions to promote the mental well-being of the Saudi population, paying particular attention to high-risk groups.

Suggested Citation

  • Hasan Saeed Alamri & Abdullah Algarni & Shehata F. Shehata & Ali Al Bshabshe & Nada N. Alshehri & Abdalla M. ALAsiri & Amjad H. Hussain & Abdulrahman Y. Alalmay & Eman A. Alshehri & Yahya Alqarni & No, 2020. "Prevalence of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress among the General Population in Saudi Arabia during Covid-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-11, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:24:p:9183-:d:458961
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cuiyan Wang & Riyu Pan & Xiaoyang Wan & Yilin Tan & Linkang Xu & Cyrus S. Ho & Roger C. Ho, 2020. "Immediate Psychological Responses and Associated Factors during the Initial Stage of the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Epidemic among the General Population in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-25, March.
    2. Cristina Mazza & Eleonora Ricci & Silvia Biondi & Marco Colasanti & Stefano Ferracuti & Christian Napoli & Paolo Roma, 2020. "A Nationwide Survey of Psychological Distress among Italian People during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Immediate Psychological Responses and Associated Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-14, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rosa M Cárdaba-García & Lucia Pérez Pérez & Virtudes Niño Martín & Inés Cárdaba-García & Carlos Durantez-Fernández & Elena Olea, 2021. "Evaluation of the Risk of Anxiety and/or Depression during Confinement Due to COVID-19 in Central Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-12, May.
    2. Sultan Ayoub Meo & Joud Mohammed Alkhalifah & Nouf Faisal Alshammari & Wejdan Saud Alnufaie, 2021. "Comparison of Generalized Anxiety and Sleep Disturbance among Frontline and Second-Line Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-11, May.

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