Knowledge, Anxiety, Fear, and Psychological Distress About Covid-19 Among University Students in the United Arab Emirates

Datos Bibliográficos

ID15525324
AutoresCoumaravelou Saravanan (0000-0003-2300-1957, University of Sharjah, autor de correspondencia), Ibrahim Mahmoud (0000-0002-5037-0208, University of Sharjah), Wiam Elshami (0000-0003-1342-7452, University of Sharjah), Mohamed H Taha (0000-0003-0808-5590, University of Sharjah)
Año2020
Volumen11
Páginas582189-582189
Fecha de publicación2020-10-22
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaFrontiers in Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1664-0640 • E-ISSN: 1664-0640
EditorialFrontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpsyt.2020.582189
PMID33192728
OpenAlexW3094096777
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas26
Referencias citadas17

Background: Fear of infection, the epidemic situation, unexpected lockdown, and implementation of online classes are most likely affecting the psychological well-being of students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study aims to assess the level of knowledge, anxiety, and psychological distress concerning COVID-19 and their association with fear, gender, age, history of mental illness, time spent reading about COVID-19, program of study, and type of dwelling among students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods and Materials: In this cross-sectional study, 433 students participated in a web-based survey. These were students at the University of Sharjah, coming from all the emirates of the UAE. Demographic scale, COVID-19 knowledge, anxiety, fear, and psychological distress scales were used to screen these problems. Results: Of the 433 students, 278 (64.2%) were male and 155 (35.8%) were female. Overall, 353 (81.5%) exhibited adequate knowledge of COVID-19. Sixty-nine (15.9%) of students were anxious and 221 (51%) were in psychological distress. Students who exhibited anxiety concerning COVID-19 anxiety (odds ratio [OR]: 2.98) and fear (OR: 1.27), and who spent more than 4 h reading about COVID-19 (OR: 11.20) were more psychologically distressed. Students with a history of mental illness showed adequate knowledge of COVID-19; however, they were more psychologically distressed (OR: 5.93). Older students were less likely to have psychological distress (OR: 0.87). Conclusion: Students possess adequate knowledge concerning COVID-19; however, they are psychologically distressed. Age, dwelling status, history of mental illness, anxiety, and fear significantly predicted psychological distress. Frequent web-based workshops that include insight, guidance, online counseling, scheduled activity, and coping mechanisms for COVID-19 are highly recommended. The authors discuss the implications for future research and provide recommendations for students and educational institutions

Anxiety · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Disease · Distress · Logistic regression · Mental health · Odds · Pandemic · Psychiatry · Psychological distress · Psychological intervention · Clinical Psychology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Digital Mental Health Interventions · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Psychology