Factors Associated with Depression and Anxiety in the Adult Population of Qatar after the First COVID-19 Wave: a Cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: To date, limited mental health data are available from Arabic-speaking countries and from different time points in the pandemic.Aim: To identify factors associated with symptoms of depression-anxiety in the adult population of Qatar after the first COVID-19 wave. Method: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey in Qatar between July and December 2020. Depression-anxiety was defined as a cut-off of 20 or higher on the PHQ-ADS scale. Results: Of 1138 participants, 71.05% were female, 69.0% Arabs, and 70.0% Non-Qataris. 77% were < 40 years (median age in Qatar is 32 years). In a fully-adjusted model, six variables were significantly associated with PHQ-ADS; Arab ethnicity (OR=1.67, p=0.026), never married (OR=2.04, p < 0.001 (versus married), prior history of psychiatric disorder (versus no history) (OR=1.76, p=0.039), increased worries due to social media use for COVID-related news/updates (OR=1.72, p=0.003), those with a history of COVID-19 (OR=1.76, p=0.039), loneliness (OR=1.91, p < 0.001), and lower levels of religiosity (OR=0.96, p=0.039). These associations also pertained in the reduced model, with exception of religiosity which was only marginally statistically significant (OR=0.97, p=0.055).Conclusions: The potential risk factors identified may assist with anxiety and depression prevention and early intervention in future COVID-19 waves and similar crises.

Prevalence and Determinants of Mental Health Problems and Mental Health Stigma Among Medical Students of Different Nationalities in Qatar

“…These tools have been previously validated for screening purposes globally and regionally, and they are commonly used in Qatar in clinical settings and for research and screening purposes with the general population. [23][24][25] The American Psychological Association (APA) reports, based on previous studies assessing the PHQ-9, that the tool exhibits good diagnostic validity; scores greater than 10 had a sensitivity and specificity of 88% for Major Depressive Disorder. 26 It also has high internal consistency and well-constructed psychometric properties.…”