Psychological effects of COVID- 19 lockdown among Aseer residents, Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: To analyse the impact on mental health of the lockdown forced by the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic.

Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in Aseer, Saudi Arabia, in May and June 2020, and comprised adult natives of either gender ho could read and write Arabic. Data was collected using a self-developed questionnaire which was distributed online via Google Forms. Data was analysed using SPSS 22.

Results: Of the 306 respondents, 238(77.8%) were females, 163(53.3%) were age 18-30 years 121(39.5%) were students, 166(54.2%) lived in a joint family, 257(84%) had undergone university education, 157(51.3%) were single, and 247(80.7%) resided in urban areas. During the lockdowns, 195(60%) participants felt moderate distress symptoms. Emotional distress and gender were significantly interlinked (p<0.01).

Conclusions: The lockdowns forced by the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic had a moderate impact on the mental health of the participants, especially on females.