Background: COVID 19 outbreak in 2020 was associated with a high rate of depression and anxiety among individuals in the affected countries. The aim of this study is to explore the influence of the COVID 19 epidemic on the psychological distress of residents of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross sectional study using an online survey was conducted in Saudi Arabia between 27th of March and 27th of April 2020. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ 9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD 7) were used to assess depression and anxiety. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of depression and anxiety. Results: The prevalence of depression and anxiety among the entire study participants was 9.4% and 7.3%, respectively. Non-Saudi residents, aged 50 years and above, divorced, retired, university students, and those with income (2000 to 10,000 RS) were at higher risk of developing depression. Saudi individuals, married, unemployed, and those with high income (> 10,000 RS) were at higher risk of developing anxiety. Conclusions: There is a wide range of the Saudi residents who are at higher risk of mental illness during COVID 19 pandemic. Policymakers and mental healthcare providers are advised to provide continuous monitoring of the psychological consequences during this pandemic, and provide mental support.

中文翻译：

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沙特阿拉伯2019年冠状病毒疾病大流行期间的抑郁和焦虑：一项横断面研究

背景：受感染国家中2020年COVID 19的爆发与抑郁症和焦虑症的高发病率有关。这项研究的目的是探讨COVID 19流行病对沙特阿拉伯王国居民的心理困扰的影响。方法：于2020年3月27日至2020年4月27日在沙特阿拉伯进行了一项在线调查的横断面研究。使用患者健康调查表（PH​​Q 9）和广义焦虑症7（GAD 7）评估抑郁症和焦虑症。Logistic回归分析用于确定抑郁和焦虑的预测因子。结果：在整个研究参与者中，抑郁症和焦虑症的患病率分别为9.4％和7.3％。50岁及以上的非沙特居民，离婚，退休，大学生，收入较高（2000至10,000 RS）的人患抑郁症的风险较高。沙特阿拉伯人，已婚，失业者和高收入（> 10,000 RS）的人患焦虑症的风险较高。结论：在COVID 19大流行期间，有大量沙特居民患精神疾病的风险较高。建议政策制定者和精神保健提供者对这种大流行期间的心理后果进行持续监测，并提供精神支持。