Open AccessAn evaluation of the psychological impact of COVID‐19 and the precautionary measure of social isolation on adults in the Asir region, Saudi Arabia
Author(s) -
Kandasamy Geetha,
Almaghaslah Dalia,
Almanasef Mona,
Vasudevan Rajalakshimi,
Easwaran Vigneshwaran
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.756
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1742-1241
pISSN - 1368-5031
DOI - 10.1111/ijcp.14756
Subject(s) - anxiety , medicine , depression (economics) , marital status , population , association (psychology) , pandemic , psychiatry , patient health questionnaire , social isolation , mental health , cross sectional study , clinical psychology , covid-19 , demography , disease , environmental health , psychology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , economics , depressive symptoms , pathology , sociology , psychotherapist , macroeconomics
Background The COVID‐19 outbreak is worrying for people and society. The aim of this study is to evaluate the psychological impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic and the precautionary measure of social isolation on adults in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia. Methods A descriptive cross‐sectional survey design was carried out in the Asir region for a period of 5 months from May 2020 to September 2020 to assess the psychological response of the adult population during the COVID‐19 pandemic using an anonymous online questionnaire. The questionnaire was adapted from previous research and involved three sections, namely sociodemographic data, Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9) and the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD‐7 Scale). A total score of ≥10 indicates depression and anxiety. Data were analysed using SPSS V.25. Results Females had higher rates of COVID‐19 depression than males. There was a significant correlation between age and home setting and anxiety, and a significant association between marital status and the level of education and depression. There was a significant association between gender and depression and anxiety, while there was no significant association between occupation and income, and depression and anxiety. Conclusion The findings of the study clearly show that depression and anxiety are highly prevalent among adults. Females had higher rates of COVID‐19 depression and anxiety than males. The findings from this study show that implementing a strategy for the prevention and management of depression and anxiety is highly recommended to minimise the impact of these disorders.