Stress, Anxiety, and Depression among University Students in Saudi Arabia During COVID 19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background and Aims: Since early stages of COVID-19 breakout, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has taken preventive measures and initiated legislations to control the transmission of COVID-19 and maintain welling of healthcare system. This study was designed to assess the stress, anxiety and depression during COVID-19 pandemic among universities' students in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, involved online based distributed a self-demonstrated validated questionnaire, which was adopted and validated mainly for the purpose of this study. Sample size was calculated utilising Epi Info statistical program. Results: 384 university students were included in this study, of these (27.71%) have experienced stress, anxiety was observed in (18.78%) of students and 21.85% have experienced depression during the COVID-19 outbreak. Significantly, students with aged between 18 and 22 years old, and health sciences student were more likely to develop anxious and stress comparing to other students, respectively. Conclusions: The university students experienced some types of stress, anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, further actions need to be taken to determine the association the psychological problems of this part of the community during and after pandemic.

References

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