Lifetime prevalence and treatment of mental disorders in Saudi youth and adolescents

Altwaijri, Yasmin; Kazdin, Alan E.; Al‐Subaie, Abdullah; Alhabeeb, Abdulhameed Abdullah; Hyder, Sanaa; Bilal, Lisa; Naseem, Muhammad Arsal; DeVol, Edward

doi:10.1038/s41598-023-33005-5

Cited by 10 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 101 publications

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“…In alignment with the data from the Saudi National Mental Health Survey on Saudi youth ( 24 ), our results indicate a higher prevalence of GAD and mean GAD-7 scores among Saudi students compared to non-Saudis. Additionally, Saudi students were more likely to be diagnosed with or suspect undiagnosed mental disorders, which resonates with the broader context of mental health in Saudi Arabia ( 25 ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Assessing the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder in a multicultural medical education setting in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic

Ashraf,

Arabi,

Dabaliz

et al. 2024

Front. Psychiatry

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IntroductionMental health among medical students is an area that has been increasingly garnering world-wide attention. Yet, despite this increased attention, research related to anxiety disorders in Saudi Arabia remain limited. This study aims to address this gap by assessing the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) as well as explore its association with students’ sociodemographic factors and academic performance among medical students in a Saudi Arabian institute that has a diverse, multicultural student body.MethodsThe study takes place in a unique educational environment: a privately funded institute in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, with 32% of its student body comprising international students from over 40 countries, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study deploys the use of a survey that was sent to the students at this institute via their institutional emails. A survey containing 33 items assessing demographics, GAD using GAD-7 questionnaire, stress-relief measures, online learning experience during the pandemic, mental disorders, anxiety associated with the pandemic, two open-ended questions, and one item assessing sleep difficulty.ResultsThe results of the survey showed that a significant majority of the responders’ scores in the GAD-7 assessment were in the range of moderate to severe anxiety. The results also suggest that low cGPA and the first academic years are significantly associated with higher GAD-7 scores. Students found severe time constraints, difficult educational content, and lack of psychological support to be major sources of stress. Furthermore, students suggested providing an in-house psychologist, personalized feedback, and guidance on study tactics as methods to reduce anxiety.ConclusionThese findings, among others, suggest a need for further studies and research in this field to uncover broader patterns and inform targeted mental health support strategies.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Assessing the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder in a multicultural medical education setting in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic

Ashraf,

Arabi,

Dabaliz

et al. 2024

Front. Psychiatry

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“…Statistical data for the mentally ill in Saudi Arabia shows that the number of mentally ill patients has increased rapidly from 10,245 patients in inpatient units in 2002 to 15,004 in 2004 [2]. More recent data showed that the prevalence of a mental disorder among Saudi youth was 40.10%, where anxiety disorders affected 26.84% of the sample, followed by disruptive behavior disorders (15.44%), mood disorders (9.67%), substance use disorders (4%), and eating disorders (7.06%) [3]. The prevalence of mental disorders among patients who attended primary healthcare centers was 28.5% [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Influencing Delay in Seeking Care for Mental Illness Among a Sample of Adult Saudi Arabian Patients

Altuwairqi

2023

Cureus

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Background: Treatment and prognosis of psychiatric disorders could be negatively affected by delay in seeking mental health care. The development of mental health services depends on understanding the reasons for delays in help-seeking and pathways to care and the duration of illness before treatment is initiated.Objectives: The aim of the present study is to examine the reasons why patients with psychiatric symptoms delay their visits to psychiatry clinics in Saudi Arabia.Methods: This was a cross-sectional, observational, survey-based study that included 268 patients, of which 60.8% were males. Data were collected through a questionnaire (either online or distributed to patients who attend the outpatient psychiatric clinics) in Taif, Saudi Arabia.Results: Most patients were married males below 40 years old, with a university degree level, employed, and having average financial status. The most common symptom reported by responders was anxiety (41.8%). The most common reason in both age groups was the fear of side effects of medication (31.9% in those over 40 years and 18.4% below 40 years), followed by the patient belief that these are non-psychiatric symptoms and will disappear with time. The trial of folk medicine was the least common reason for both age groups (1.8% in patients below 40 years and 0% for patients above 40 years).Conclusion: Fear of psychotropic drug adverse effects was the most frequent reason given for postponing mental health counseling. This could be due to some unpleasant or intolerable effects. Anxiety was the most common psychiatric symptom among patients delaying their first psychiatric consultation. These findings serve as a guide for the improvement of mental health services and psychoeducation in Saudi Arabia.

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“…Substance use is increasing worldwide and affects people at a young age as proved by surveys in different geographical regions in the world. For instance, Altwaijri et al examined the lifetime prevalence, treatment and socio-demographic correlates of mental disorders among Saudi youth (aged 15-30) and found a 4% prevalence of substance use disorders (SUDs) (1).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Socio-Demographic Correlates and Patterns of Use Among Patients Visiting Addiction Services of Almadinah Specialized Psychiatric Hospital in Saudi Arabia

Alshenguity,

Aloufi,

Alkurdi

et al. 2023

JOHS

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Background: Substance use disorders are on the increase worldwide with negative consequences on individuals, their family and the community. Our objective is to study the socio-demographic and patterns of use in those requesting addiction treatment in Addiction treatment services of Almadinah Specialist Psychiatrist Hospital (ASPH). Methods: A descriptive chart review study of 622 patients requesting treatment between the first January 2019 and 31 December 2012. Information was taken from patients’ records and if necessary, completed by a direct interview with the patient. Data collected were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Results: The majority were male (96.6%) with a mean age of 32.1 ± 9.2 years. More than half had less than a bachelor’s degree, while 23.5% were highly educated. The majority of patients were single (70.7%), 53.1% reported difficulty keeping a job, 17.8% a high income, 90% a negative family history of substance abuse and 94.7% a negative family history of psychiatric illness. The most frequent substances used, in descendant order, were captagon (69.8%), cannabis (63%) and alcohol (30.7%). The mean age of initiation was around 21 years for the three main substances. The prevalence of co-occurring disorders was at 14%. Two thirds of patients were from the outpatient department (67.7%) and 32.2% from the emergency department (ED). Around a third of our sample visited the emergency room at least once during the month prior to their evaluation and overall, 32.3% needed hospital admission. Conclusions: The fact that 90% of our sample reported a negative history of substance abuse with about 4 out of 5 having an early age of initiation to substance use emphasizes the urgent need for psychoeducational preventive efforts on substance abuse and dependence targeting our youths and their families, in multiple areas particularly in school and neighbourhoods.

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Lifetime prevalence and treatment of mental disorders in Saudi youth and adolescents

Cited by 10 publications

References 101 publications

Assessing the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder in a multicultural medical education setting in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic

Assessing the prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder in a multicultural medical education setting in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic

Factors Influencing Delay in Seeking Care for Mental Illness Among a Sample of Adult Saudi Arabian Patients

Socio-Demographic Correlates and Patterns of Use Among Patients Visiting Addiction Services of Almadinah Specialized Psychiatric Hospital in Saudi Arabia

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