Mental Health of COVID-19 Patients-A Cross-Sectional Survey in Saudi Arabia.

Hasan Saeed Alamri,Dalal M Bashah,Awad Alsamghan,Wesam F Mousa,Roaa Alosaimi,Shehata F Megahid,Abdullah Algarni,Ali Al Bshabshe,Ahlam Alshehri,Nada N Alshehri,Abdullah Alsabaani

doi:10.3390/ijerph18094758

Abstract

Background: This study aims to investigate the mental health of COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out targeting confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. Due to travel and time constraints as well as the accessibility of patients, cases were included from East Jeddah Hospital, King Abdulaziz Hospital, and the Oncology Center in Jeddah. The data were collected using a predesigned self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire addressed COVID-19 cases, personal data, medical history, smoking, traveling abroad, and work-related conditions. Additionally, data regarding contact level with COVID-19 cases were considered. The mental health statuses of the patients were assessed using a validated Arabic version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale. The study included 261 COVID-19 patients whose ages ranged from 18 to 65 years. Results: The survey findings revealed that 13% of COVID-19 patients had a borderline level of anxiety, 26.8% were considered anxiety cases, while 60.2% were normal. The findings also revealed that 29.9% had a borderline level of depression, 18.4% were considered depression cases, while 51.7% were normal. Conclusions: This study concluded that COVID-19 patients experience anxiety and depression, and as the COVID-19 epidemic continues to spread, the results of the study are particularly useful in developing a strategy to psychologically support COVID-19 patients.

Highlights

The treatment policy for COVID-19 cases followed in Saudi Arabia at the time of this study was to hospitalize moderate to severe cases in patients, who have high-risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, or hypertension
Depression and anxiety are very common among COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia
Policymakers in the health care system should apply the findings discussed within this research to implement necessary actions to alleviate the burdens of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health

Summary

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the world’s supply chains and health care systems and affected the mental health of individuals [5]. This study aims to investigate the mental health of COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out targeting confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. Data regarding contact level with COVID-19 cases were considered. The study included 261 COVID-19 patients whose ages ranged from 18 to 65 years. Results: The survey findings revealed that 13% of COVID19 patients had a borderline level of anxiety, 26.8% were considered anxiety cases, while 60.2% were normal. The findings revealed that 29.9% had a borderline level of depression, 18.4% were considered depression cases, while 51.7% were normal.

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