Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms Developed During COVID-19 and Their Impact on the Academic Performance of Egyptian College Students

Author(s): Omar El Sayed Rageh, Meret Tawfik Awad Allah, Mennatullah Mohammed Abd el Nasser Abozekry, Dr. Salwa Hassan Atlam

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has increased levels of anxiety and depression among the public; however, the impact on the faculty of medicine students in Egypt with respect to academic achievement has not been well-documented.

Objective: Assessment of the prevalence of depression and anxiety among medical college students in Egypt during COVID-19 pandemic and impact thereof on their academic achievement.

Participants: 396 college students participated in this study and filled the questionnaire representing Egypt governates.

Methodology: An online survey was conducted via Google Forms addressing undergraduate students of all medical fields belonging to all Egyptian universities. A previously validated questionnaire sheet containing standardized scale for anxiety and depression, named Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) form is used in this study.

Results and Conclusion: Among the 396 participants, 28.5% experience symptoms of anxiety, and 35.6% are considered to have developed anxiety disorder. With respect to depressive symptoms, 21.2% are borderline and 38.1% experience actual depressive symptoms. However, there has been no significant association between these mental health issues and academic achievement. Families with sufficient savings and income as well as male students have fallen among the protective factors. High prevalence of depressive symptoms and anxiety among medical students during COVID 19 pandemic is alarming. Evidently, there is no significant impact on students’ academic performance; nevertheless, further studies are required to detect the long-term impact of this pandemic on student performance.