Fear of COVID-19 and Stress-Relieving Practices Among Social Media Users, Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia.

Autor:	Abo-Ali EA; Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tanta, Tanta, EGY., Mousa AH; Medicine and Surgery, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, SAU., Omar MW; Medicine and Surgery, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, SAU., Al-Rubaki SS; Medicine and Surgery, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, SAU., Ghareeb WA; Neuro-Psychiatry Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tanta, Tanta, EGY., Zaytoun S; Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, EGY.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	Cureus [Cureus] 2021 Jun 21; Vol. 13 (6), pp. e15817. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Jun 21.
DOI:	10.7759/cureus.15817
Abstrakt:	Background The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its associated consequences can trigger feelings of fear, concern, and anxiety among the population, leading to unfavorable consequences on mental health. This study aimed to assess fear of COVID-19 and stress-relieving practices among social media users in the Makkah region, Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional analytic study was conducted among 532 adults inhabiting the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia over a period of one month, from June 15 to July 15, 2020. A predesigned, self-administered questionnaire, including assessments of fear of COVID-19 and stress-relieving practices, was used for data collection. Results The mean Fear of COVID-19 Scale score was 17.3±5.21 out of 35. Individuals aged 30-49 years and married individuals had higher mean scores (18.4±5.20 and 18.4±5.29, respectively) compared to other groups (p<0.05). Additionally, individuals with histories of anxiety and depression, individuals suffering from chronic diseases, and those who did not exercise regularly had higher levels of fear compared to other groups (p<0.05). Practicing religious and spiritual rituals was the most commonly adopted stress-relieving practice among study participants (68.6%). Conclusion Adults in Saudi Arabia have considerable levels of fear of COVID-19. Special attention is recommended for highly susceptible groups. Additionally, mental health education programs are recommended for the promotion of the community's psychological resilience in such a global crisis. Spiritual aspects should be included in such mental health education programs. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. (Copyright © 2021, Abo-Ali et al.)
Databáze:	MEDLINE
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