Depression, Anxiety, Stress and Their Association with the Use of Electronic Devices among Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background:Adolescence is a critical,multifactorial developmental phase.With the current pandemic of COVID-19,excessive using of electronic devices is a public health concern.The aim of this study is to investigate the relation-ship between depression and the use of electronic devices among secondary school children in Jazan,Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic.Materials and Methods:The study is an observational,cross-sectional study.Data was collected using an anonymous online survey instrument.including the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale.Results:A total of 427 participants were included in the study.The prevalence of depression,anxiety,and stress in our study was 14.55%,12.01%,and 15.55%,respectively.For the hours spent on electronic devices,13.6%of participants spent 1–4 h,43.6%spent 5–9 h,and 42.9%spent 10 h or more.86.7%reported an increase in their use of electronic devices during COVID-19.The regression analysis revealed that the increase of Videogame Addiction Scale for Chil-dren is significantly associated with an increase in Depression,Anxiety,and Stress scores(p-value<0.05 for all).Conclusion:Electronic device use is a challenging issue among Saudi adolescents,and it has been associated with a negative impact on participants’mental well-being.The study found a positive correlation between electronic device use and increased prevalence of mental health issues.We also found significantly increased use of electronic device during the COVID-19 lockdown;hence,more mental issues were reported.It is obvious that electronic device use needs to be more controlled among adolescents.This can be achieved by involving those who are in this age group in other activities,like sports,which can reduce the time they spend on electronic device.

Exploring the Prevalence and Contributing Factors of Depression among Sickle Cell Anemia Patients in Saudi Arabia’s Jazan Region

Sickle Cell Anemia(SCA)is a prevalent genetic condition in Saudi Arabia,particularly in the Jazan region.The study’s purpose was to assess the prevalence of de-pression among individuals with SCA in this area and to identify the factors associated with this condition.The study involved 391 adult participants,all patients in the hematology center of Prince Mohammed bin Nasser Hospital(PMNH).Data was collected through an anonymous interview questionnaire–the Arabic version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9(PHQ-9)–between March–May 2022.The questionnaire covered socio-demographic information and variables related to the participant’s SCA history,such as pain levels,frequency of pain,hospitalization duration,and frequency of blood transfusions.These variables underwent Chi-square and One-way ANOVA testing,followed by multivariate regression.The study found a 42%prevalence of depression among the SCA patients.Factors significantly linked with heightened depression levels included being widowed or divorced,experiencing frequent and severe pain,and longer duration of hospital stays.An educational level of at least a bachelor’s degree was also a significant factor.The study reveals a high prevalence of depression among SCA patients in the Jazan region.It underscores the need for policymakers to educate both physicians and patients about the importance of mental health in SCA management.The study also highlights the need for more research into the specific causes and effects of depressive symptoms in SCA patients to inform the creation of effective management plans.