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Research ArticleOriginal Article
Open Access

The impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the development of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in Saudi Arabia

Deemah A. Alateeq, Haneen N. Almughera, Tharaa N. Almughera, Raghad F. Alfedeah, Taeef S. Nasser and Khozama A. Alaraj
Saudi Medical Journal July 2021, 42 (7) 750-760; DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2021.42.7.20210181
Deemah A. Alateeq
From the Clinical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
MBBS, SB-Psych
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  • For correspondence: [email protected]
Haneen N. Almughera
From the Clinical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
MBBS
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Tharaa N. Almughera
From the Clinical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
MBBS
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Raghad F. Alfedeah
From the Clinical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
MBBS
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Taeef S. Nasser
From the Clinical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
MBBS
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Khozama A. Alaraj
From the Clinical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
MBBS
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Article Figures & Data

Tables

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    Table 1

    - Demographic and clinical characteristic of respondents (n=2909).

    Demographic and clinical characteristicLow stress (%)Moderate stress (%)High stress (%)Frequency (%)P-value
    Age groups (years)<0.001
    18-2917.9057.9024.201640 (56.4)
    30-3927.7060.8011.50530 (18.2)
    40-4940.2053.406.50386 (13.3)
    50-5957.6037.804.50288 (9.9)
    ≥6067.7032.300.0065 (2.2)
    Gender<0.001
    Male38.7053.607.80760 (26.1)
    Female23.8055.9020.302149 (73.9)
    Nationality0.163
    Saudi28.0055.0017.002787 (95.8)
    Non-Saudi20.5061.5018.00122 (4.2)
    Region of residence<0.001
    Central28.8056.5014.701695 (58.3)
    Western25.4053.1021.60552 (19.0)
    Eastern26.2055.1018.70363 (12.5)
    Southern34.6050.3015.20191 (6.6)
    Northern14.8057.4027.80108 (3.7)
    Level of education0.224
    Below high school level26.8061.0012.2041 (1.4)
    High school level25.9054.1020.00486 (16.7)
    University level or above28.0055.4016.502382 (81.9)
    Marital status<0.001
    Single18.7058.4022.901627 (55.9)
    Married39.3051.409.301159 (39.8)
    Divorced/widow37.4050.4012.20123 (4.2)
    Do you have children?<0.001
    Yes39.6051.608.901094 (37.6)
    No20.5057.5022.001815 (62.4)
    Occupation<0.001
    Healthcare professional28.5056.0015.50193 (6.7)
    Employed35.0055.509.40965 (33.3)
    Housewife40.4047.2012.40322 (11.1)
    Unemployed27.0052.7020.30404 (13.9)
    Student16.9058.2024.901017 (35.1)
    Housing status<0.001
    Own home33.6054.2012.201183 (40.7)
    Living with family21.2055.9022.901137 (39.1)
    Renting28.2055.6016.20532 (18.3)
    Other28.1061.4010.5057 (2.0)
    Are you disciplined with quarantine?0.486
    Always28.3054.5017.202200 (75.6)
    Often25.5057.6016.90674 (23.2)
    Never28.6062.908.6035 (1.2)
    How many days spent in quarantine?0.032
    Less than 20 days31.4054.1014.40229 (7.9)
    20-39 days29.3058.9011.80314 (10.8)
    40-59 days21.1063.0015.90459 (15.8)
    60 days and more28.5053.0018.501907 (65.6)
    Smoking0.004
    Smoker33.9052.2013.90360 (12.4)
    Non-smoker26.8055.7017.502549 (87.6)
    Do you have any chronic disease?0.005
    Yes34.5049.9015.60423 (14.5)
    No26.5056.2017.302486 (85.5)
    Are you diagnosed with any psychiatric disease?<0.001
    Yes13.6054.5031.90191 (6.6)
    No28.7055.3016.002718 (93.4)
    • View popup
    Table 2

    - Responses to the perceived stress scale from participants (n=2909).

    Perceived stress scaleResponsesn (%)
    1. In the last month, how often have you been upset because of something that happened unexpectedly?Never763 (26.20)
    Almost never586 (20.10)
    Sometimes1004 (34.50)
    Fairly often349 (12.00)
    Very often207 (7.10)
    2. In the last month, how often have you felt that you were unable to control the important things in your life?Never925 (31.80)
    Almost never504 (17.30)
    Sometimes782 (26.90)
    Fairly often391 (13.40)
    Very often307 (10.60)
    3. In the last month, how often have you felt nervous and “stressed”?Never437 (15.00)
    Almost never406 (14.00)
    Sometimes878 (30.20)
    Fairly often576 (19.80)
    Very often612 (21.00)
    4. In the last month, how often have you felt confident about your ability to handle your personal problems?Never559 (19.20)
    Almost never861 (29.60)
    Sometimes837 (28.80)
    Fairly often414 (14.20)
    Very often238 (8.20)
    5. In the last month, how often have you felt that things were going your way?Never235 (8.10)
    Almost never628 (21.60)
    Sometimes1030 (35.40)
    Fairly often513 (17.60)
    Very often503 (17.30)
    6. In the last month, how often have you found that you could not cope with all the things that you had to do?Never541 (18.60)
    Almost never614 (21.10)
    Sometimes1087 (37.40)
    Fairly often411 (14.10)
    Very often256 (8.80)
    7. In the last month, how often have you been able to control irritations in your life?Never336 (11.60)
    Almost never740 (25.40)
    Sometimes980 (33.70)
    Fairly often484 (16.60)
    Very often369 (12.70)
    8. In the last month, how often have you felt that you were on top of things?Never297 (10.20)
    Almost never730 (25.10)
    Sometimes964 (33.10)
    Fairly often511 (17.60)
    Very often407 (14.00)
    9. In the last month, how often have you been angered because of things that were outside of your control?Never277 (9.50)
    Almost never472 (16.20)
    Sometimes1021 (35.10)
    Fairly often641 (22.00)
    Very often498 (17.10)
    10. In the last month, how often have you felt difficulties were piling up so high that you could not overcome them?Never697 (24.00)
    Almost never689 (23.70)
    Sometimes730 (25.10)
    Fairly often430 (14.80)
    Very often363 (12.50)
    • View popup
    Table 3

    - Demographic characteristic of respondents with obsessive symptoms (dirt, germs, viruses).

    VariablesWorried about dirt, germs, viruses.P-value
    Only during COVID-19 pandemic n (%)Before and during COVID-19 pandemic n (%)Never n (%)
    Age groups (years)<0.001
    18-29947 (57.7)453 (27.6)240 (14.6)
    30-39297 (56.0)156 (29.4)77 (14.5)
    40-49243 (63.0)85 (22.0)58 (15.0)
    50-59166 (57.60)56 (19.4)66 (22.9)
    ≥6027 (41.5)10 (15.4)28 (43.1)
    Gender0.763
    Male458 (60.3)155 (20.4)147 (19.3)
    Female1222 (56.9)605 (28.2)322 (15.0)
    Nationality0.979
    Saudi1604 (57.6)739 (26.5)444 (15.9)
    Non-Saudi76 (62.3)21 (17.2)25 (20.5)
    Region of residence0.587
    Central1002 (59.1)423 (25.0)270 (15.9)
    Western315 (57.1)144 (26.1)93 (16.8)
    Eastern197 (54.3)106 (29.2)60 (16.5)
    Southern103 (53.9)56 (29.3)32 (16.8)
    Northern63 (58.3)31 (28.7)14 (13.0)
    Level of education0.390
    Below high school level24 (58.5)8 (19.5)9 (22.0)
    High school level272 (56.0)125 (25.7)89 (18.3)
    University level or above1384 (58.1)627 (26.3)371 (15.6)
    Marital status0.319
    Married684 (59.0)283 (24.4)192 (16.6)
    Divorced /widow68 (55.3)26 (21.1)29 (23.6)
    Single928 (57.0)451 (27.7)248 (15.2)
    Do you have children?0.556
    Yes649 (59.3)263 (24.0)182 (16.6)
    No1031 (56.8)497 (27.4)287 (15.8)
    Occupation0.047
    Healthcare professional103 (53.4)57 (29.5)33 (17.1)
    Employed582 (60.3)208 (21.6)175 (18.1)
    Housewife192 (59.6)76 (23.6)54 (16.8)
    Unemployed207 (51.2)121 (30.0)76 (18.8)
    Student592 (58.2)294 (28.9)131 (12.9)
    Housing status0.700
    Own home702 (59.3)290 (24.5)191 (16.1)
    Living with family638 (56.1)323 (28.4)176 (15.5)
    Renting310 (58.3)131 (24.6)91 (17.1)
    Other30 (52.6)16 (28.1)11 (19.3)
    Are you disciplined with quarantine?0.012
    Always1241 (56.4)606 (27.5)353 (16.0)
    Sometimes422 (62.6)148 (22.0)104 (15.4)
    Never17 (48.6)6 (17.1)12 (34.3)
    How many days spent in quarantine?0.015
    Less than 20 days120 (52.4)51 (22.3)58 (25.3)
    20-39 days184 (58.6)90 (28.7)40 (12.7)
    40-59 days257 (56.0)129 (28.1)73 (15.9)
    60 days and more1119 (58.7)490 (25.7)298 (15.6)
    Smoking0.607
    Smoker215 (59.7)73 (20.3)72 (20.0)
    Non-smoker1465 (57.5)687 (27.0)397 (15.6)
    Do you have any chronic disease?0.488
    Yes245 (57.9)119 (28.1)59 (13.9)
    No1435 (57.7)641 (25.8)410 (16.5)
    Are you diagnosed with any psychiatric disease?0.727
    Yes106 (55.5)55 (28.8)30 (15.7)
    No1574 (57.9)705 (25.9)439 (16.2)
    • View popup
    Table 4

    - Demographic characteristic of respondents with compulsive symptoms (Repeated hand washing).

    VariablesWash hands very often or in a special way to be sure I am not dirty or contaminated.P-value
    Only during COVID-19 pandemic n (%)Before and during COVID-19 pandemic n (%)Never n (%)
    Age groups (years)0.005
    18-29747 (45.5)238 (14.5)655 (39.9)
    30-39265 (50.0)63 (11.9)202 (38.1)
    40-49182 (47.2)54 (14.0)150 (38.9)
    50-59120 (41.7)41 (14.2)127 (44.1)
    ≥6020 (30.8)5 (7.7)40 (61.5)
    Gender0.279
    Male334 (43.9)110 (14.5)316 (41.6)
    Female1000 (46.5)291 (13.5)858 (39.9)
    Nationality0.865
    Saudi1280 (45.9)382 (13.7)1125 (40.4)
    Non-Saudi54 (44.3)19 (15.6)49 (40.2)
    Region of residence0.938
    Central791 (46.7)217 (12.8)687 (40.5)
    Western239 (43.3)90 (16.3)223 (40.4)
    Eastern170 (46.8)51 (14.0)142 (39.1)
    Southern86 (45.0)26 (13.6)79 (41.4)
    Northern48 (44.4)17 (15.7)43 (39.8)
    Level of education0.328
    Below high school level21 (51.2)10 (24.4)10 (24.4)
    High school level213 (43.8)82 (16.9)191 (39.3)
    University level or above1100 (46.2)309 (13.0)973 (40.8)
    Marital status0.227
    Married536 (46.2)148 (12.8)475 (41.0)
    Divorced \ Widow65 (52.8)17 (13.8)41 (33.3)
    Single733 (45.1)236 (14.5)658 (40.4)
    Do you have children?0.368
    Yes522 (47.7)132 (12.1)440 (40.2)
    No812 (44.7)269 (14.8)734 (40.4)
    Occupation0.122
    Healthcare professional89 (46.1)26 (13.5)78 (40.4)
    Employed480 (49.7)109 (11.3)376 (39.0)
    Housewife148 (46.0)42 (13.0)132 (41.0)
    Unemployed158 (39.1)73 (18.1)173 (42.8)
    Student456 (44.8)150 (14.7)411 (40.4)
    Housing status0.999
    Own home541 (45.7)165 (13.9)477 (40.3)
    Living with family525 (46.2)151 (13.3)461 (40.5)
    Renting241 (45.3)79 (14.8)212 (39.8)
    Other27 (47.4)6 (10.5)24 (42.1)
    Are you disciplined with quarantine?0.961
    Always999 (45.4)317 (14.4)884 (40.2)
    Often317 (47.0)83 (12.3)274 (40.7)
    Never18 (51.4)1 (2.9)16 (45.7)
    How many days spent in quarantine?0.084
    Less than 20 days93 (40.6)22 (9.6)114 (49.8)
    20-39 days148 (47.1)43 (13.7)123 (39.2)
    40-59 days220 (47.9)60 (13.1)179 (39.0)
    60 days and more873 (45.8)276 (14.5)758 (39.7)
    Smoking0.058
    Smoker181 (50.3)49 (13.6)130 (36.1)
    Non-smoker1153 (45.2)352 (13.8)1044 (41.0)
    Do you have any chronic disease?0.988
    Yes189 (44.7)68 (16.1)166 (39.2)
    No1145 (46.1)333 (13.4)1008 (40.5)
    Are you diagnosed with any psychiatric disease?0.443
    Yes81 (42.4)30 (15.7)80 (41.9)
    No1253 (46.1)371 (13.6)1094 (40.3)
    • View popup
    Table 5

    - Chi-square test of association between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and perceived stress.

    VariablesPerceived stress scaleTotal
    LowModerateHigh
    I am worried about dirt, germs, and viruses
    Only during COVID-19 Pandemic453 (56.3)942 (58.6)285 (57.5)1680 (57.8)
    Before and During COVID-19 Pandemic150 (18.6)457 (28.4)153 (30.8)760 (26.1)
    Never202 (25.1)209 (13.0)58 (11.7)469 (16.1)
    I wash my hands very often or in a special way to be sure I am not dirty or contaminated
    Only during COVID-19 Pandemic301 (37.4)778 (48.4)255 (51.4)1334 (45.9)
    Before and During COVID-19 Pandemic76 (9.4)243 (15.1)82 (16.5)401 (13.8)
    Never428 (53.2)587 (36.5)159 (32.1)1174 (40.4)
    Total805 (100.0)1608 (100.0)496 (100.0)2909 (100.0)
    P-value <0.001. Effect size (Phi) = 0.167
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The impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the development of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in Saudi Arabia
Deemah A. Alateeq, Haneen N. Almughera, Tharaa N. Almughera, Raghad F. Alfedeah, Taeef S. Nasser, Khozama A. Alaraj
Saudi Medical Journal Jul 2021, 42 (7) 750-760; DOI: 10.15537/smj.2021.42.7.20210181

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The impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the development of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in Saudi Arabia
Deemah A. Alateeq, Haneen N. Almughera, Tharaa N. Almughera, Raghad F. Alfedeah, Taeef S. Nasser, Khozama A. Alaraj
Saudi Medical Journal Jul 2021, 42 (7) 750-760; DOI: 10.15537/smj.2021.42.7.20210181
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Keywords

  • obsessions
  • compulsions
  • stress
  • COVID-19

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