Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological status of undergraduate medical students in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional double-scale study.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a major health care catastrophe that affects people's physical and mental well-being worldwide. Medical students are at an increased risk of mental health hazards during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sulaiman Al Rajhi University (SRU), the site of our study, is located in Qassim province in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We conducted this study to assess the prevalence of depression, stress and anxiety symptoms among SRU medical students during the quarantine and while learning online shortly after the announcement of documented COVID-19 cases in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In this cross-sectional study, an online questionnaire was sent to all medical students of SRU; 278 students responded (71%). We collected participants' demographic, socioeconomic, and academic data. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress scale and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale were used as the validated mental health assessment tools. Depression, anxiety and stress symptoms were found in 23%, 11%, and 6% of students, respectively. Females were more likely to have anxiety (P = .03) than males. Students who had close contact with COVID-19 cases, those whose lives were affected by COVID-19, and those with poor socioeconomic status had significantly higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression compared to their counterparts (P = .004, .01, .01, respectively). Students from high-viral-load areas, unmarried students, and those who did not live with their families were more stressed (P = .06, .01, .01, respectively). The Fear of COVID-19 Scale was positively correlated with all Depression, Anxiety, and Stress components (depression: r = 0.36, anxiety: r = 0.45, and stress: r = 0.39, P < .001 for all). Medical students, especially female students, are at an increased risk of developing depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms with increased COVID-19 fear during the pandemic. The study highlights the importance of mental health screening for female students, students of low socioeconomic status, and relatives of COVID-19 cases. Our findings could help institutions adjust mental health services in the future amid such pandemics.

Ewid M ，Amal Y ，Billah SMB ，Kalou Y ，Zitoun OA ，Alnaser AR ，Nashawi MO ，Almazrou A ... -  《-》

The psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the general population of Saudi Arabia.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an emerging infection causing a widely spread pandemic of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The current COVID-2019 pandemic is prompting fear of falling sick, dying, helplessness and stigma, urgent and timely understanding of mental health status is needed to help the community. Our investigation designed to survey the general population in Saudi Arabia to assess the degree of psychological impact during the pandemic. During the early stage of the outbreak, we conducted an online-based survey using a snowballing sample technique. The surveys collected data about several aspects of participant sociodemographic, knowledge, concerns, psychological impact, and mental health status. We assessed the psychological impact and mental health status using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Our survey recruited 1160 respondents of the general public of Saudi Arabia. Of them, 23.6% reported moderate or severe psychological impact of the outbreak, 28.3%,24%, and 22.3% reported moderate to severe depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms, respectively. Females reported IES-R (B: 5.46, 95% CI: 3.61 to 7.31) and DASS subscales B coefficient ranged from 1.65 to 2.63, along with high-school students, working in the medical field, and poor self-reported health status was significantly associated with a high level of IES-R and DASS scales (p < .05). Experiencing breathing difficulty and dizziness showed a stronger association with higher IES-R and DASS subscales than other somatic symptoms (e.g., headache and fever);(p < .001). Respondents who practiced specific preventative measures (e.g., hand washing, social distancing) demonstrated a protective effect against stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms. Social distancing appeared to be protective on stress and anxiety subscales (B: -1.49, 95% CI: -2.79 to -0.19),(B: -1.53, 95% CI: -2.50 to -0.57),respectively; and hand hygiene on depression subscale (B: -2.43, 95% CI: -4.44 to -0.42). Throughout the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak in Saudi Arabia, the results showed that nearly one-fourth of the sampled general population experienced moderate to severe psychological impact. Following specific precautionary measures appeared to have a protective effect on the individual's mental health. Our findings can be used to construct psychological interventions directed toward vulnerable populations and to implement public mental health strategies in the early stages of the outbreak.

Alkhamees AA ，Alrashed SA ，Alzunaydi AA ，Almohimeed AS ，Aljohani MS ... -  《-》

Risk perceptions, fear, depression, anxiety, stress and coping among Saudi nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alsolais A ，Alquwez N ，Alotaibi KA ，Alqarni AS ，Almalki M ，Alsolami F ，Almazan J ，Cruz JP ... -  《-》

Psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical and rehabilitation sciences university students in Saudi Arabia.

Sarsak HI 《-》

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Students' Mental Health and Sleep in Saudi Arabia.

Alyoubi A ，Halstead EJ ，Zambelli Z ，Dimitriou D ... -  《-》