Impact of distance learning during COVID-19 on the anxiety of college students of Almaarefa University

Abstract

Background: On 8 March, 2020, the Saudi Ministry of Education announced the closure of schools and universities around the Kingdom to control the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as preventive and precautionary measures. On 18 March, 2020, Almaarefa University started the distance learning method for all students, including clinical medical students. This study aimed to assess the anxiety of college students with regard to the distance learning method in Almaarefa University during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study is a descriptive cross-sectional study. We distributed a closed-ended questionnaire to 149 students of Almaarefa University. The assessment of anxiety was carried out using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) Scale. Results: One hundred and forty-nine students responded to an online questionnaire. The anxiety level, using GAD-7 Scale, was found to be moderate in 36.2%, mild in 32.2%, severe in 22.8%, and normal in 8.7%. Clinical phase students had the highest level of anxiety than basic science students and interns. The adaptive coping strategies used by students during COVID-19 were watching shows and movies (70.7%), sports and exercise (49.3%), cooking (48%), drawing (21.3%), developing new skills (38%), and attending educational webinars (36%). Conclusion: The anxiety levels of the 149 students of Almaarefa University were assessed via the GAD-7 Scale, which found that the highest level was the moderate level, followed by mild, severe, and normal levels. The adaptive coping strategies used by students during COVID-19 were mostly watching shows and movies, sports and exercise, and cooking. Future studies with a bigger sample size assessing the depression score are recommended.