Risk Factors Associated with Mental Health Outcomes during the Post-Quarantine Period of the COVID-19 in Saudi Population: A Cross-Sectional Study.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The present study aims to evaluate the mental health symptoms in the Saudi population during the COVID-19 post-quarantine period and to identify the risk factors associated with the severity of the symptoms. METHODS: Anxiety was measured with the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder questionnaire, depression with the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire, insomnia with the 7-item Insomnia Severity Index, and distress with the 22-item Impact Event Scale-Revised questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 885 respondents answered the online questionnaires. The majority were women (72.8%), married (67.4%), have children (59.3%), and with high education levels (93.2%). The results showed that a high number of the respondents experienced mild to severe symptoms of anxiety (533; 60.3%), depression (659; 47.5%), insomnia (510; 57.6%), and distress (645; 72.9%). The multivariable logistic analysis demonstrated severe anxiety and insomnia among women (OR = 1.71; 95% CI 1.07-1.98; p < 0.001 and OR = 2.00; 95% CI 1.78-2.35; p = 0.002); severe depression among those under 35 (OR = 2.06; 95% CI 1.97-2.44; p = 0.001; and severe distress among non-Saudi respondents (OR = 1.71; 95% CI 1.09-1.93; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results might help in establishing precautionary measures for protecting the mental health of the general population during pandemics.