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

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 and Norah F. Saleh
Additional contact information
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
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

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 24, 1-11

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.

Keywords: coronavirus; DASS-21; psychological (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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