Factors Associated with Depression and Anxiety in the Adult Population of Qatar in the First Year of the COVID-19 pandemic: Results from an Online Survey
Abstract Background: There is limited data from Arabic-speaking countries on risk factors for depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Country-specific data is necessary given differences in culture, demographics, COVID-19 infection and mortality rates.Aim: To identify factors associated with symptoms of depression-anxiety in the adult population of Qatar during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.Method: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey in Qatar between July and December 2020 after the first COVID-19 wave and before the beginning of the second wave. Depression-anxiety was defined as a cut-off of 20 or higher on the PHQ-ADS scale. Results: Of 1138 participants, 71.05% were female, 69.0% Arabs, and 70.0% Non-Qataris. 77% were < 40 years (the median age in Qatar is 32 years). In a fully-adjusted model, six variables were significantly associated with PHQ-ADS; Arab ethnicity (OR=1.67, p=0.026), never married (OR=2.04, p < 0.001 (versus married), prior history of psychiatric disorder (versus no history) (OR=1.76, p=0.039), increased worries due to social media use for COVID-related news/updates (OR=1.72, p=0.003), those with a history of COVID-19 (OR=1.76, p=0.039), loneliness (OR=1.91, p < 0.001), and lower levels of religiosity (OR=0.96, p=0.039). These associations also pertained in the reduced model, with exception of religiosity which was only marginally statistically significant (OR=0.97, p=0.055).Conclusions: The potential risk factors identified may assist with anxiety and depression prevention in future COVID-19 waves, and similar crises, and assist with early intervention to treat sufferers.