The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health among Individuals infected with Corona virus, in Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia, October-December 2020

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic symbolizes many overwhelming stresses. Such as loss of family members, friends, or colleagues, financial uncertainty; and isolation from others, mostly in those who live alone. That's why the physician must sort out demoralization from depression. Aim: This study aimed to determine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health among individuals infected with Corona virus, in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods : This is a cross-sectional study conducted among individuals infected with Corona virus in Qassim region. A pre-designed questionnaire was distributed among all the individuals infected with COVID-19 using available communication methods provided by the COVID-19 committee. A total response of 800, when applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, only 580 participants have met the criteria. The questionnaire contains socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, anxiety, panic disorder and depression. The collection of data was during the period from October to December of 2020. All statistical data were calculated using SPSS version 21. Results: A total of 580 COVID-19 patients were enrolled. The most common age group was 20 – 29 with 52.6% were males. The prevalence of patients with anxiety was 14.0% while the prevalence of depression 20.7% and those with panic disorder was 43.1%. In multivariate regression model. Those who developed symptoms at the time of diagnosis were the independent factors associated with both anxiety and depression while family income negatively affected by the pandemic was the independent factor associated with anxiety, depression and panic disorder. Conclusion: Impact of COVID on mental health was high. Panic disorder in people infected with COVID-19 found to be higher than anxiety and depression, lastly panic disorder provided greater negative effect with their mental health. These results require more investigation and further research, in addition patient who was infected with COVID-19 should be reviewed with the psychiatrist. &nbsp

Medical staff knowledge about the different regimens and plans of treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most common chronic infections. It is linked to the development of peptic ulcers and is considered an important factor in the development of gastric cancer. With an appropriate therapeutic regimen, the eradication of H. pylori infection can be achieved, gastritis can be cured, and we can alter its progression to the complications. In this study, we aimed to measure medical staff knowledge about the different regimens and treatment plans for H. pylori infection in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A 23-item questionnaire was filled out by 60 internal medicine physicians in the private sector to assess different variables regarding H. pylori knowledge and treatment. Results: A total of 40 responses were included [30 (75%) men, 26 (68%) &amp;lt; 45 years]. We found that a higher knowledge score was more associated with being a male (T = 2.397; p = 0.002) and those having sources of H. pylori&amp;apos;s information such as national meetings (T = 2.418; p = 0.020) and internet (T = 2.063; p = 0.046), while the differences in the score of knowledge among age (p = 0.992) and degree/title (p = 0.547) were not significantly different. Conclusion: There are knowledge discrepancies among the participants with a wide spread of data sources regarding H. pylori management, screening, and diagnosis. There was also a statistically valuable difference regarding physicians&amp;apos; choice of information source. Those who obtained their information through national meetings and internet sources were more knowledgeable than those who obtained it in another way. For future research, we suggest exploring the connection between information sources and the knowledge level and attitude concerning treatment plans.</jats:p