Feelings, Behavioral Actions and Depressive Symptoms Related to COVID-19 among Undergraduates in Hail, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) outbreak has had a profound psychological impact on university undergraduates. Feelings, behavioral actions, and depressive symptoms related to COVID-19 in undergraduates in Hail, Saudi Arabia, were assessed using an online survey. Eighteen feelings and six behavioral acts were assessed. The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale was used to measure depressive symptomatology. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression techniques were used. The mean age of the participants (n = 418) was 20.2 years (standard deviation (SD) = 1.8 years), and 52.9% (n = 221) were males. Elevated levels of depressive symptoms were reported by 47.1% of male and 51.3% of female participants. Social isolation, loss of interest, obsessive monitoring of symptoms, concentration difficulties, recurrent negative thoughts, and worries about health services emerged as vital negative feelings related to COVID-19 that were expressed by the participants. Younger age (odds ratio (OR) = 0.636, confidence interval (CI) = 0.428–0.946) and coming from the middle-income category (OR = 0.388, CI = 0.151–0.994) were found to be protective factors against developing depressive symptoms. Frequent cleaning of hands, wearing masks when going out, and adherence to social distancing rules were practiced by 71.5% (95% CI = 67.2%–75.8%), 78.7% (95% CI = (74.4%–82.5%) and 66.0% (95% CI = (61.3%–70.5%) of the participants, respectively. These behavioral acts were not associated with the development of depressive symptoms. Although the practice of COVID-19 precautionary measures by the participants was satisfactory, nearly half of the participants reported depressive symptoms. Innovative educational strategies are needed to curb concentration difficulties and social isolation experienced by undergraduates during outbreaks such as COVID-19.

COVID-19 and Saudi Arabia: Awareness, Attitude, and Practice

“… Ashgar/Aug 2021 95 Health-promoting behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic among Saudi Adults: A cross-sectional study 305 adults Online questionnaire COVID-19 is associated with Saudi adults’ adoption of health-promoting behavior. Aldhmadi/Sep 2021 96 Feelings, Behavioral Actions, and Depressive Symptoms Related to COVID-19 among Undergraduates in Hail, Saudi Arabia 418 students Online questionnaire About half of the participants reported depressive symptoms, although the practice of COVID-19 precautionary measures by the participants was satisfactory. Almoslem/Sep 2021 97 Handwashing Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices among Students in Eastern Province Schools, Saudi Arabia 271 students Self-administrated questionnaire/observational checklist Handwashing knowledge/practices among school students in the Eastern Province are acceptable interventions in preventing the transmission of COVID-19.…”