Effects of Quarantine on Mental Health Among Residents of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: People practicing quarantine experience many psychiatric symptoms such as nervousness, anxiety, depression that often go unacknowledged. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of quarantine due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the mental health of residents of Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A cross-sectional analysis using an online survey was conducted by using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the brief symptom inventory (BSI) in our study to analyse the effects of quarantine on mental health. Demographic variables such as age, gender, educational level, marital status, number of children, financial situation, working from home and its effects were also interrogated. Results: The female gender, age groups from 20-24 years of age, single and widowed and participants no children or more than 7 children had higher scores for PHQ-9 and BSI with moderately severe and severe depression. Participants who had only received high school education also scored high for PHQ-9 and BSI. Participants working from home experienced acknowledged of negative effects such as low productivity and lack of enthusiasm towards work. Conclusion: Public health strategies of quarantine and isolation are essential to break the transmission and infectivity of COVID-19, however these measures may have a deleterious impact on the mental health of people implementing quarantine and isolation. Policies on regular psychological evaluation and assessment of individuals practicing quarantine should be implemented and practiced thus ensuring peak mental health of communities.