Social stigma associated with COVID-19 infection in Saudi Arabia: A population based study

Background: Saudi Arabia is one of the nations impacted by the epidemic of COVID-19. Objectives: To address psycho-behavioral problems to the pandemic of COVID-19 in the whole population of Saudi Arabia, namely: 1) obstacles to infection control measures against COVID infections; 2) adverse responses to COVID-19; and 3) fear among the general population in Saudi Arabia. Methods: An electronic population based cross sectional survey using a validated electronic questionnaire was performed between 23 July and 1 August 2020. Among the whole estimated target population of COVID-19 patients in Saudi Arabia. Using multi-stage random sampling technique all over the governorates. The six-item variant of the State-Trait-Anxiety-Stock (STAS-6) was used to measure rates of anxiety. Estimated target population of 67,000 Covid-19 patients according to last national report of MOH. A multi stage sampling from different affected governorates. Sample size was calculated using Steven Sampthon formula to be 2230 patient. Sample was collected from MOH electronic registries approved by the ethical committee of KSUMC # (78/82/KSUMC/IRB-COVID-3792). Results: A total of 1,800 full replies have been received. Almost 60 percent reported having trouble wearing a face mask to guard against COVID infection. The mean and standard deviation (SD) for the overall avoidance obstacle value was 35.8 (SD +/- 7.1; scale 18 to 68) out of a maximum 72. Male respondents [odds ratio (OR) = 1.25; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.03 to 1.51] and many respondents who regarded their health condition as poor / fair (OR = 1.49; 95 % CI 1.31 to 1.82) were indicators of Strong obstacles to avoidance. Negative feelings such as anxiety (74.6%), accompanied by sadness (43.4%) and stigma (23.0%) correlated with SARS-CoV-2 infection has been identified. The addressing groups that their wellbeing was viewed as poor / fair (OR = 2.19; 95 % CI 1.57 to 3.04) and a higher risk was recorded to get more depressive feelings. Anxiety rating results showed 68.0 per cent (95 per cent CI 65.8 to 65.8 per cent). (70.1) mild to extreme anxiety recorded. Participants who see their well-being as poor / fair (OR = 3.46; 95% CI 12.22 to 5.40) and who were female (OR = 1.91; 95 % CI 1.55 to 2.36) were female; predictors with mild to extreme fear. Conclusion: Psycho behavioral measures are expected to promote the management and monitoring of the epidemic of COVID-19.