ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of knowledge, perception, and attitude of COVID-19 with the psychological distress status of the public in Saudi Arabia. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was performed among 429 participants using an online survey after approval from Umm Al-Qura University in March 2020. Data collection took three months during COVID-19 outbreak (May-July 2020). An online survey was composed of items related to knowledge, perception, attitude, and the population's psychological status during COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. Association tests were used at a significance level of < 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval. RESULT(S): Nearly 80% of the participants had variable degrees of psychological distress. There were significant associations of perception (fear of being infected with COVID-19, (p < 0.05), fear of being in contact with patients with COVID-19 (p < 0.05), and fear of inability to continue their usual activities/work (p < 0.05), changes in social habits (p < 0.05), and following the precautional measures to prevent acquiring COVID-19 infection (p < 0.05) with psychological status. At the same time, the association of Knowledge regarding COVID-19 with psychological level was not statistically significant (p = 0.221). CONCLUSION(S): Most of the participants had variable degrees of psychological distress. There were significant associations of most of the elements of perception and attitudes of the public regarding COVID-19 with their psychological distress. The public should implement psychological support programs during the pandemic to help them overcome COVID-19-related psychological distress. Copyright © 2022, J Liaquat Uni Med Health Sci. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the young adult's coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) health-preventive behaviors in Saudi Arabia. METHODOLOGY: Semi-structured virtual interviews regarding health-preventive behaviors were conducted with 35 participants during the lockdown because of the pandemic. The Health Belief Model was used in the analysis and data presentation. RESULTS: Young adults had feelings of fear, loneliness, anxiety, irritability, easy distraction, loss of concentration, and depression during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants in this study were aware of the benefits of applying the health-preventive actions. The reported barriers hinder some of them from using some of the COVID-19 health-preventive steps are mainly related to social distancing and the curfew on some people. The participants reported their confidence in their COVID-19 health preventive knowledge and stated that they could protect themselves and others from getting infected with COVID-19. CONCLUSION: According to HBM, they strongly believe in health actions efficacy in their country and followed the COVID-19 health-preventive actions. Participants had a positive perception regarding the threat and severity of COVID-19 infection. Financial consequences of the curfew, noncompliance with the preventive actions' and lack of awareness of the importance of the health-preventive activities of some people are among the barriers to applying the COVID-19 health-preventive measures.
ABSTRACT
Due to COVID-19 exposures globally, all institutions have begun providing education using remote learning to prevent functional standstill and promote continuity in learning. During the COVID-19 epidemic, bachelor of nursing students was asked to describe the challenges they faced in their clinical job, education, performance, online tests, and psychological health and cooperation.A closed-ended pre-validated online questionnaire was issued to all undergraduate nursing students at our university.Categorical variables were analyzed using a Chi-square, and multiple regression analysis was adopted for comparing student'se-learning domains This cross-sectional study included 322 nursing undergraduates (N = 322). Students' biggest concerns included exam criteria (77.3%), preclinical training (61.6%), management support (69.8 %), difficulty understanding online lectures (48.9%), technology barriers (71.8%), and fear about course completion (73.96%). Femalenursingstudents were more likely than male students to report that COVID-19 hurt their mental health (stress about online learning) (p = 0.031). COVID-19 had a considerably more detrimental effect on senior students' perceptions of teamwork than did COVID-19 have on junior students (p = 0.004).More study is needed from developing countries to define standards for delivering excellent education in the event of a pandemic, which creates an unprecedented situation that necessitates using a remote e-learning system.
ABSTRACT
Ever since its outbreak in the Wuhan city of China, COVID-19 pandemic has engulfed more than 211 countries in the world, leaving a trail of unprecedented fatalities. Even more debilitating than the infection itself, were the restrictions like lockdowns and quarantine measures taken to contain the spread of Coronavirus. Such enforced alienation affected both the mental and social condition of people significantly. Social interactions and congregations are not only integral part of work life but also formthe basis of human evolvement. However, COVID-19 brought all such communication to a grinding halt. Digital interactions have failed to enthuse the fervor that one enjoys in face-to-face meets. The pandemic has shoved the entire planet into an unstable state. The main focus and aim of the proposed study is to assess the impact of the pandemic on different aspects of the society in Saudi Arabia. To achieve this objective, the study analyzes two perspectives: The early approach, and the late approach of COVID-19 and the consequent effects on different aspects of the society. We used a Machine Learning based framework for the prediction of the impact of COVID-19 on the key aspects of society. Findings of this research study indicate that financial resources were the worst affected. Several countries are facing economic upheavals due to the pandemic and COVID-19 has had a considerable impact on the lives as well as the livelihoods of people. Yet the damage is not irretrievable and the world's societies can emerge out of this setback through concerted efforts in all facets of life. © 2021 Tech Science Press. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Background: Nurses are the frontline health professional more likely to undergo various stressors during the pandemic Covid-19 situation. The ongoing unprecedented crisis causes more stress, especially among nurses, as they are the most vulnerable group who predominantly get impacted while delivering comprehensive care. Aim: This study explored the level of stress among nurses working in different healthcare settings. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study among nurses from developed and developing countries between 7 February and 7 April 2020 was adopted for this research. Sixty-four nurses working in different healthcare settings were included in the study. A self-developed online questionnaire using google documents was used to collect data that comprised baseline data, Cohen Perceived stress scale, simplified coping items, and items of psychosocial perception. Results: It was revealed that 75.64% of studied participants (N=64) had a high level of stress, with a mean anxiety score and Standard deviation of 3.52 +/- 1.084, during the Covid-19 pandemic situation. A statistically significant association was found between the demographic variables such as experience and participation in the COVID-19 team at p<.05, whereas gender, age, and working unit do not show any significant associations. Conclusion: Heath institutions' effective and efficient protocols are required to enhance nurses' mental strength and alleviate their lack of coping strategies, particularly during a crisis.