The anxiety among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia: an online survey (Preprint)
BACKGROUND After the World Health Organization declared the pandemic for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on March 11, 2020, psychological response toward COVID-19 is an important issue that should be thoroughly studied. Indonesia has the highest COVID-19 infection cases in South-East Asia countries and Indonesia university students had no prior experience of pandemic. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to identify the anxiety and related factors among Indonesia university students during COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in two public Indonesia universities (N=937). Participants aged > 20 years old were recruited through online advertisement and social media. The anxiety level was measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) tool. A score > 2.5 was defined as high level of anxiety and < 2.5 as low-medium. A logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with anxiety. RESULTS The students (median age=21; IQR 20.0-23.0) were primarily females (n=802, 85.8%). More than one third of the participants (n=362, 38.5%) had high level of anxiety. Six significant factors were found to explain anxiety: post-graduates’ education (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=1.52; 95% CI=1.01, 2.27), living with family (AOR=1.57; 95% CI=1.09, 2.26), perceived absolute susceptibility (AOR=1.96; 95% CI=1.48, 2.61), satisfaction with friend’s support (AOR=99; 95% CI=1.21, 3.27), satisfaction with faculties’ support (AOR=1.47; 95% CI=1.01, 2.14), and seeking information from news media (AOR=1.53; 95% CI=1.14, 2.07). CONCLUSIONS As more than one-third of university students having high anxiety, healthcare providers should consider launching mental health intervention to address his issue.