Psychosocial impacts of coughing in public places during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study in the western region of Saudi Arabia

• DOI: 10.13181/mji.oa.247213
• Publication Date: 2024-03-27T02:53:12Z
• Authors: Abdulrahman Dakhe...; Amjed Yunus Mandeeli; Abdulaziz Mohamme...; Mohsen Hani Alharbi; Mohamed Eldigire ...; Raju Suresh Kumar
• Keywords: Pandemic; Cross-sectional study; 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak

BACKGROUND Dry cough is a prevalent symptom of COVID-19. During the pandemic, people may mistake this for symptoms associated with other respiratory diseases. This increases risk individuals being falsely judged as having study aimed to investigate impact coughing in public places on adults’ mental and social well-being during COVID-19 pandemic explore role demographic factors relationship between psychosocial life western region Saudi Arabia. METHODS cross-sectional was conducted Arabia, targeting healthy adults aged ≥18 years. The participants were randomly selected using cluster sampling technique. Data collected through self-administered validated questionnaire pandemic. Additionally, information, smoking habits, frequency, consumption medications, history mild diseases, family chronic illnesses. mean standard deviation used calculate continuous variables, frequency percentages present categorical variables. We analyzed relationships variables analysis variance test. RESULTS 288 participated study, 67.2% agreement score. 82.0% avoided who coughed public, while 51.8% felt angry frustrated when someone CONCLUSIONS has changed how react public. Mild coughs can be mistaken COVID-19, leading avoidance.