MENTAL HEALTH STATUS OF WORKING MOTHERS IN PHCS DURING DISTANCE LEARNING DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN TAIF CITY, SAUDI ARABIA, 2023 RUNNING TITLE: MENTAL HEALTH OF WORKING MOTHER

Background/aim: COVID-19 outbreak negatively impacted various life aspects, including the learning process. Distance learning is one of the precautionary measures that the Saudi Ministry of Education applied to limit social contact. This study aimed to assess the mental health status of mothers working in internal primary health care centers (PHCs) during distance learning of their children during the COVID-19 pandemic in Taif City, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study between February and March 2023 among mothers working in internal PHCs during distance learning through the COVID-19 pandemic. The data collection tool was a combination of two previously validated questionnaires (PHQ-9 "Patient Health Questionnaire" and GAD-7 "General Anxiety Disorder") shared among the respondents.

Results:  The study included 104 mothers working at Internal PHCs in Taif City, Saudi Arabia, with a mean (±SD) age of 38.3 (±6.37). Most of them were from Saudi Arabia (93.1%), married (91.4%), held a university degree or higher (83.5%), and were nurses (68.3%). Of them, 57.7% had three children or less, and 64.4% had less than three children who experienced distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mothers working in administrative positions showed significantly more severe anxiety levels (25%) than those working in the medical field (8.5%) (p-value = 0.047).

Conclusion: Depression and anxiety were prevalent among mothers taking care of their children in homeschooling during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is recommended to support women who are working and taking care of their children during distance learning by decreasing the number of their working hours. In addition, this study could be the cornerstone for encouraging the development of training programs for women working in administrative roles on the importance of mental health and distance learning for their children.   

Keywords: Depression, Anxiety, Distance learning, Mental health, Saudi Arabia