ABSTRACT
Background: Quarantine measures during the COVID-19 lockdown had a negative impact on children's psychology and development. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the psychological impact of quarantine on children due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia and to assess types of reported child maltreatment before and after the pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional survey among parents was performed along with a retrospective data review for anonymized data from the National Family Safety Program, Saudi Arabia. 436 children participated in this survey during June-November 2020. Results: The percentage of fathers with an organic or psychological illness in the children with elevated anxiety levels is 18.5% (p-value = 0.019). The anxiety level of the participants was assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7). Based on the scores, 10.1% had severe anxiety. The depression level of the participants was assessed using Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Based on the scores, 4.4% had severe depression. The anxiety level of the children was assessed using Spence Children's Anxiety Scale - Parent (SCAS-Parent). Based on the overall score, 28.1% of the children had elevated anxiety levels. The anxiety level was elevated in a panic attack and agoraphobia for 36.8% of the kids, in separation anxiety for 26.8%, in physical injury fears for 35.1%, in social phobia for 19%, in obsessive-compulsive for 25.1%, and in generalized anxiety disorder/overanxious for 27.3%. Conclusion: Quarantine and lockdown during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic have had a negative impact and many adverse effects on the mental and intellectual development of children. These negative outcomes may be addressed via well-planned multilevel interventions.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of awareness and acceptance among women for breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy. METHODS: The observational cross-sectional study was conducted at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2014 to April 2015, and comprised women aged 19-65 years with breast masses and women with high risk for breast cancer who were offered therapeutic mastectomy. The subjects were interviewed using a structured and validated questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: Of the 224 individuals approached, 209(93.3%) participated. Of them, 106(50.7%) considered having reconstruction and 97(46.4%) had read or heard about it. The most influencing factor for reconstruction was improving their psychological status 84(40.2%) and the most common reason for refusal was old age 26(12.4%). Patients who were 40 years or younger were more willing to undergo reconstruction (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with knowledge about breast reconstruction were more willing to accept the procedure. Increasing the awareness will increase acceptance of breast reconstruction..
