Comparison of the Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Saudi Nationals Arriving from Abroad During Institutional Quarantine and a Year Later: An Analytical Cross-Sectional and Follow-Up Study
Fahad Yousef Alaujan *
The Saudi Board Preventive Medicine Joint Program, Public Health Administration, Ministry of Health, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Amal Hassan A. l. Ghamdi
The Saudi Board Preventive Medicine Joint Program, Public Health Administration, Ministry of Health, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: To assess the psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic and estimate the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress on individuals during institutional quarantined in 2020 and reassess a year later to compare outcomes and investigates different associated factors.
Study Design: An analytical cross-sectional and a follow-up study
Place and Duration of Study: An institutional COVID-19 quarantine center, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between May 2020 and July 2021
Methodology: A sample of 138 participants were recruited. After obtaining the participants demographics date and consent, an electronic questionnaire was distributed to assess participants psychological well-being using the 42-item depression, anxiety, and stress scales (DASS) twice, at the end of quarantine period and one year later, to compare outcomes and associated factors.
Results: Out of all the sample (n=138), male represented 64.5% while female accounted for 35.5%. Half the participants (50.7%) were married comparing to 40.6% single and bachelor’s or higher degrees holders accounted for 61.6% while 26.8% had high school degree. The psychological health was assessed for all participants twice, resulting with prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress during quarantine period of 34%, 33%, and 22% respectively and a decreased prevalence a year late (20%, 13%, and 9, respectively). The differences between the two psychological assessments were significant (depression: P = .02, anxiety: P< .001, stress: P = .005). Educational level was associated with stress at time of quarantine (P = .03). Marital status and employment status were significantly associated with participants depression levels a year after quarantine (P = .03, P = .04, respectively).
Conclusion and Recommendations: The psychological well-being of quarantined participants was negatively impacted during this unlikable experience. Numerous demographic factors were significantly associated with the undesirable effects. We propose implementing a psychological assessment program in future quarantine centers to prevent further mental health impacts.
Keywords: COVID-19, Quarantine, depression, Anxiety, Stress