Prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) among Iraqi undergraduate medical students in time of COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common mental disorder affecting millions of people. Its onset and peak are during late teens making university students a priority target. Medical student perhaps is at greater risk for developing OCD while corona COVID-19 is expected to more exaggerate symptoms mainly with extra hygiene and cleanliness practices. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of OCD symptoms among Iraqi medical students, and to assess the associated psychological symptoms and its correlates. An analytic cross-sectional study was conducted among Iraqi medical students during the period from August to October 2020. An online anonymous, voluntary, and self-administered questionnaire based on the 18 questions Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised scale (OCI-R) was used to collect the data. Results A total of 1644 students had filled the questionnaire. Females were 1116 (67.9%), while 1153 (70.1%) had reported accompanying mental symptoms. Of which worry and stress were the most prevalent with 674 (25.9%) and 617 (23.7%) respectively. However, 707 (43%) have probable OCD symptoms that need further assessment. Unpleasant thoughts were the most prevalent symptoms with 51.8%. Surprisingly, the washing and contamination scales were low at 14% and 19.4% while repeating certain numbers was the least with 8%. OCD symptoms were significantly related to younger age and earlier years of study. Further, all accompanied mental symptoms were significantly associated with probable OCD status. Conclusion High prevalence of OCD among medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. No association of OCD with gender and family history. Younger students and early years of study were more likely to suffer from OCD symptoms.

The impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the development of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in Saudi Arabia

“…A similar prevalence of OCD symptoms was reported in earlier studies conducted during the pandemic among the general population in Saudi Arabia with 62.4% and in Canada with 60.3% for obsessions, and 53.8% for compulsions, and a prevalence of 43% among medical students in Iraq. 9,15,16 Also, moderate/high perceived stress was reported in 84.9% of the Canadian general population and 85.2% of students in virtual classrooms in Saudi Arabia during the pandemic. 5,9 It is possible that we might also observe an increase in the number of OCD patients in the upcoming period.…”

“…The psychological symptoms associated with OCD that were reported in previous studies include stress, anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. 9,15,20 And OCD was generally linked to stressful life events. 21,22 In this study, we also found that new-onset dirt, germs, and virus obsessions were significantly higher among the 40-49 year-old age group (63%), employed (60.3%), housewives (59.6%), students (58.2%), quarantine discipliners (62.6%), and those who spent 20 or more days in quarantine (58.7%, 58.6% and 56%).…”

“…26 Students are expected to be negatively affected during the pandemic due to the sudden shift toward virtual learning, the quarantine, and the reduction in face-toface communication. 5,15 In addition, being disciplined in quarantine and spending more days in quarantine was found to be significantly associated with increased obsessions, which can be considered avoidance strategies to reduce anxiety associated with the obsession.…”

“…Responses range from "never" to "very often." Total mean scores of 0-13 indicate low stress, [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] Armonk, N.Y., USA). Continuous variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and categorical variables were expressed as percentages.…”

Self-Reported Obsession Toward COVID-19 Preventive Measures Among Undergraduate Medical Students During the Early Phase of Pandemic in Jordan

“…As undergraduate medical students are closely associated with health care workers, they are susceptible to experience similar psychological and emotional distress. Also, their dense curriculum, limited leisure time, the stressful nature of medical schools, and as the medical students are asked to be more precise, perfect, and obsessive a little bit more, they are at high risk for developing OCD (43)(44)(45).…”