Perception of Threat and Psychological Impact of COVID-19 among Expatriates in Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia

Majed A. Algarni, Mohammad S. Alzahrani, Yasser Alatawi, Raghad A. Alasmari, Hashem O. Alsaab, Atiah H. Almalki, Abdullah A. Alhifany and Yusuf S. Althobaiti
Additional contact information
Majed A. Algarni: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
Mohammad S. Alzahrani: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
Yasser Alatawi: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tabuk, P.O. Box 741, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
Raghad A. Alasmari: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
Hashem O. Alsaab: Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
Atiah H. Almalki: Addiction and Neuroscience Research Unit, Health Science Campus, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
Abdullah A. Alhifany: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
Yusuf S. Althobaiti: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 12, 1-10

Abstract: In the first few months of the pandemic, Makkah region reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases among all regions in Saudi Arabia. More than 80% of these reported cases were non-Saudi residents. In this study, we evaluated the perceived threat from and psychological impact of COVID-19 among non-Saudi residents of Makkah region. This was a cross-sectional analysis of data collected using a standardized self-report questionnaire. A total of 292 expatriates were included in the study, the majority of whom were non-Arabic speakers. The prevalence of self-reported depression was nearly 40%, anxiety was 32%, and stress was 43%. The findings indicated variability in the prevalence of psychological symptoms among expatriates from different ethnic backgrounds. Additionally, work environment and perceived threat were strong predictors of psychological disorders. This suggested that the perceived threat from and psychological burden of COVID-19 among non-Saudis in Makkah region is substantial. Future research should investigate the reasons behind these variations in the psychological impact of the pandemic among different ethnic groups.

Keywords: COVID-19; expatriates; psychological disorders; Saudi Arabia; DASS-21; BIP-Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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