Douaa Arrouk | Damascus Universty (original) (raw)

Papers by Douaa Arrouk

Research paper thumbnail of The Prevalence and Risk Factors of COVID-Stress Syndrome

Cureus, May 23, 2023

Background COVID-19 is a serious disease causing negative psychological effects such as nervousne... more Background COVID-19 is a serious disease causing negative psychological effects such as nervousness, isolation, depression, and suicide ideation. The COVID Stress Scale was developed to better understand and assess COVID-19-related distress. University students are predicted to be negatively impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak due to their lack of psychological skills and high levels of academic stress. This study compares the prevalence of COVID stress syndrome (CSS) among university students in Syria and Jordan during the outbreak. The questionnaire used in the study covers multiple aspects and can be applied to future pandemics or infectious diseases. Methodology This is a cross-sectional study conducted in Syria and Jordan between September 1 and December 1, 2021, to evaluate CSS among university students. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 2525 students using a structured, validated, and published questionnaire. Ethical considerations were taken, and informed consent was obtained from participants. The questionnaire had two parts: participant characteristics and CSS. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), and the chi-square test was used to compare the CSS scale between the two countries. Result The study involved 2525 university students, mostly Syrian (63.6%) and Jordanian (36.4%), aged 18-24 (89.5%), and mostly single (95.6%). Over 50% of students lived in homes with three or more people. More than half reported good to excellent economic status; non-smokers accounted for over 50%. Regarding CSS, 39.8% had a high score, 28% average, 20% severe, and 12.2% low to mild. Jordanian male students and single Syrian students showed a higher probability of experiencing CSS symptoms. The number of people in the household, financial status, and field of study also played a significant role. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has negative impacts beyond physical health, including the economy, education, and mental health. A stress scale has been developed to measure COVID-19 stress syndrome, which includes Danger and Contamination Fears (DAN), Socioeconomic Consequences Fears (SEC), Xenophobic Fears (XEN), Traumatic Stress Symptoms (TSS), and Compulsive Checking and Reassurance Seeking (CHE). Nonmedical faculty students are more likely to acquire CSS symptoms than medical faculty students.

Research paper thumbnail of The development and validation of a novel COVID19 stigma scale among healthcare workers (COVISS-HCWs)

BMC Health Services Research, Dec 5, 2022

Background and aim: Fear of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its complications may result ... more Background and aim: Fear of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its complications may result in stigmatization of individuals who may carry the virus. This is of special concern to healthcare workers who tolerate additional physical and emotional stress at times of pandemic. The aims of this study are to (1) develop and validate the COVID-19 Stigma Scale (COVISS-HCWs) survey; and (2) investigate the experience of stigma among healthcare workers possibly dealing with COVID-19 patients in five major public hospitals in Damascus, Syria. Methods: We divided the sample into two parts and then underwent EFA on the first 350 participants, dividing the 14 questions into two dimensions. Furthermore, CFA was conducted on the other 350 participants to confirm how correctly a hypothesized model matched the factor structure by EFA, as described above. Moreover, the coefficient of determination (R2) and item-scale correlations (standardized factor loading) were estimated to establish the acceptability of the final structure of the COVISS-HCWs. Through a cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of 700 healthcare workers participated in a self-administered questionnaire containing a section for demographic variables and another for newly designed COVISS-HCWs. The scale comprises 14 adapted and novel items that measure two subscales: feelings of perceived harm and inferiority, and avoidance. Descriptive statistics, reliability, and validity were evaluated. Results: The 14 COVISS-HCWs items were reduced to 11 items with a high Cronbach's α of 0.909. A significant correlation was observed between the responses to each COVISS-HCWs item and the corresponding subscale, and between each subscale and the overall scale. Feeling stigmatized was reported by 9.86% of the participants. Younger age, low socioeconomic status, and higher intensity of contact with COVID-19 patients significantly correlated with higher stigmatization. Conclusions: The novel COVISS-HCWs is a reliable and valid tool to evaluate stigma among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Stigma prevalence among healthcare workers was 9.86%. Therefore, this must be addressed to prevent possible psychosocial and public health repercussions.

Research paper thumbnail of The prevalence of stress among medical students in Syria and its association with social support: a cross-sectional study

BMC Psychiatry, Feb 7, 2023

Introduction Chronic stress can interrupt personal life and cause fatigue, inability to concentra... more Introduction Chronic stress can interrupt personal life and cause fatigue, inability to concentrate, and irritability. This study aims to determine the prevalence of stress and its associated factors among medical students in Syria and whether social support could be a protective factor against stress. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the faculty of medicine of five Syrian universities. The Medical Student Stressor Questionnaire (MSSQ) was used to evaluate the stress caused by the possible sources of stress. And Social Support Questionnaire-short version (SSQ-short version) was used to assess the social support that medical students received from family, friends, and their fellow medical students using six questions. Results A total of 1472 medical students participated in the study. Among the total participants, 671 (45.6%) were males, and 801 (54.4%) were females. The majority of the participators had mild (50.6%; n = 745) and moderate (37.0%; n = 545) stress levels. Academic-related stressors were the most important cause of stress among undergraduate medical students. Social support was provided equally to both genders, and genders reported the same degree of satisfaction. Conclusion Our results emphasize the importance of improving the curricula, providing mental health consultants for students, and paying more attention to the mental health of female students. Finally, students in their clinical years should also receive mental health care, decreasing their duties and providing more self-free time.

Research paper thumbnail of Epidemiology of poisoning in Syria (1999 through 2020)

Clinical Toxicology, Dec 16, 2022

Research paper thumbnail of The Prevalence and Risk Factors of COVID-Stress Syndrome

Research paper thumbnail of COVID-19 and Its Impact on Healthcare Workers: Understanding Stigma, Stress, and Quality of Life

Research paper thumbnail of Epidemiology of poisoning in Syria (1999 through 2020)

Research paper thumbnail of The prevalence of stress among medical students in Syria and its association with social support: a cross-sectional study

BMC Psychiatry, Feb 7, 2023

Introduction Chronic stress can interrupt personal life and cause fatigue, inability to concentra... more Introduction Chronic stress can interrupt personal life and cause fatigue, inability to concentrate, and irritability. This study aims to determine the prevalence of stress and its associated factors among medical students in Syria and whether social support could be a protective factor against stress. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the faculty of medicine of five Syrian universities. The Medical Student Stressor Questionnaire (MSSQ) was used to evaluate the stress caused by the possible sources of stress. And Social Support Questionnaire-short version (SSQ-short version) was used to assess the social support that medical students received from family, friends, and their fellow medical students using six questions. Results A total of 1472 medical students participated in the study. Among the total participants, 671 (45.6%) were males, and 801 (54.4%) were females. The majority of the participators had mild (50.6%; n = 745) and moderate (37.0%; n = 545) stress levels. Academic-related stressors were the most important cause of stress among undergraduate medical students. Social support was provided equally to both genders, and genders reported the same degree of satisfaction. Conclusion Our results emphasize the importance of improving the curricula, providing mental health consultants for students, and paying more attention to the mental health of female students. Finally, students in their clinical years should also receive mental health care, decreasing their duties and providing more self-free time.

Research paper thumbnail of The development and validation of a novel COVID19 stigma scale among healthcare workers (COVISS-HCWs)

BMC Health Services Research

Background and aim Fear of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its complications may result i... more Background and aim Fear of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its complications may result in stigmatization of individuals who may carry the virus. This is of special concern to healthcare workers who tolerate additional physical and emotional stress at times of pandemic. The aims of this study are to (1) develop and validate the COVID-19 Stigma Scale (COVISS-HCWs) survey; and (2) investigate the experience of stigma among healthcare workers possibly dealing with COVID-19 patients in five major public hospitals in Damascus, Syria. Methods We divided the sample into two parts and then underwent EFA on the first 350 participants, dividing the 14 questions into two dimensions. Furthermore, CFA was conducted on the other 350 participants to confirm how correctly a hypothesized model matched the factor structure by EFA, as described above. Moreover, the coefficient of determination (R2) and item–scale correlations (standardized factor loading) were estimated to establish the accept...

Research paper thumbnail of The Prevalence and Risk Factors of COVID-Stress Syndrome

Cureus, May 23, 2023

Background COVID-19 is a serious disease causing negative psychological effects such as nervousne... more Background COVID-19 is a serious disease causing negative psychological effects such as nervousness, isolation, depression, and suicide ideation. The COVID Stress Scale was developed to better understand and assess COVID-19-related distress. University students are predicted to be negatively impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak due to their lack of psychological skills and high levels of academic stress. This study compares the prevalence of COVID stress syndrome (CSS) among university students in Syria and Jordan during the outbreak. The questionnaire used in the study covers multiple aspects and can be applied to future pandemics or infectious diseases. Methodology This is a cross-sectional study conducted in Syria and Jordan between September 1 and December 1, 2021, to evaluate CSS among university students. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 2525 students using a structured, validated, and published questionnaire. Ethical considerations were taken, and informed consent was obtained from participants. The questionnaire had two parts: participant characteristics and CSS. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), and the chi-square test was used to compare the CSS scale between the two countries. Result The study involved 2525 university students, mostly Syrian (63.6%) and Jordanian (36.4%), aged 18-24 (89.5%), and mostly single (95.6%). Over 50% of students lived in homes with three or more people. More than half reported good to excellent economic status; non-smokers accounted for over 50%. Regarding CSS, 39.8% had a high score, 28% average, 20% severe, and 12.2% low to mild. Jordanian male students and single Syrian students showed a higher probability of experiencing CSS symptoms. The number of people in the household, financial status, and field of study also played a significant role. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has negative impacts beyond physical health, including the economy, education, and mental health. A stress scale has been developed to measure COVID-19 stress syndrome, which includes Danger and Contamination Fears (DAN), Socioeconomic Consequences Fears (SEC), Xenophobic Fears (XEN), Traumatic Stress Symptoms (TSS), and Compulsive Checking and Reassurance Seeking (CHE). Nonmedical faculty students are more likely to acquire CSS symptoms than medical faculty students.

Research paper thumbnail of The development and validation of a novel COVID19 stigma scale among healthcare workers (COVISS-HCWs)

BMC Health Services Research, Dec 5, 2022

Background and aim: Fear of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its complications may result ... more Background and aim: Fear of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its complications may result in stigmatization of individuals who may carry the virus. This is of special concern to healthcare workers who tolerate additional physical and emotional stress at times of pandemic. The aims of this study are to (1) develop and validate the COVID-19 Stigma Scale (COVISS-HCWs) survey; and (2) investigate the experience of stigma among healthcare workers possibly dealing with COVID-19 patients in five major public hospitals in Damascus, Syria. Methods: We divided the sample into two parts and then underwent EFA on the first 350 participants, dividing the 14 questions into two dimensions. Furthermore, CFA was conducted on the other 350 participants to confirm how correctly a hypothesized model matched the factor structure by EFA, as described above. Moreover, the coefficient of determination (R2) and item-scale correlations (standardized factor loading) were estimated to establish the acceptability of the final structure of the COVISS-HCWs. Through a cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of 700 healthcare workers participated in a self-administered questionnaire containing a section for demographic variables and another for newly designed COVISS-HCWs. The scale comprises 14 adapted and novel items that measure two subscales: feelings of perceived harm and inferiority, and avoidance. Descriptive statistics, reliability, and validity were evaluated. Results: The 14 COVISS-HCWs items were reduced to 11 items with a high Cronbach's α of 0.909. A significant correlation was observed between the responses to each COVISS-HCWs item and the corresponding subscale, and between each subscale and the overall scale. Feeling stigmatized was reported by 9.86% of the participants. Younger age, low socioeconomic status, and higher intensity of contact with COVID-19 patients significantly correlated with higher stigmatization. Conclusions: The novel COVISS-HCWs is a reliable and valid tool to evaluate stigma among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Stigma prevalence among healthcare workers was 9.86%. Therefore, this must be addressed to prevent possible psychosocial and public health repercussions.

Research paper thumbnail of The prevalence of stress among medical students in Syria and its association with social support: a cross-sectional study

BMC Psychiatry, Feb 7, 2023

Introduction Chronic stress can interrupt personal life and cause fatigue, inability to concentra... more Introduction Chronic stress can interrupt personal life and cause fatigue, inability to concentrate, and irritability. This study aims to determine the prevalence of stress and its associated factors among medical students in Syria and whether social support could be a protective factor against stress. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the faculty of medicine of five Syrian universities. The Medical Student Stressor Questionnaire (MSSQ) was used to evaluate the stress caused by the possible sources of stress. And Social Support Questionnaire-short version (SSQ-short version) was used to assess the social support that medical students received from family, friends, and their fellow medical students using six questions. Results A total of 1472 medical students participated in the study. Among the total participants, 671 (45.6%) were males, and 801 (54.4%) were females. The majority of the participators had mild (50.6%; n = 745) and moderate (37.0%; n = 545) stress levels. Academic-related stressors were the most important cause of stress among undergraduate medical students. Social support was provided equally to both genders, and genders reported the same degree of satisfaction. Conclusion Our results emphasize the importance of improving the curricula, providing mental health consultants for students, and paying more attention to the mental health of female students. Finally, students in their clinical years should also receive mental health care, decreasing their duties and providing more self-free time.

Research paper thumbnail of Epidemiology of poisoning in Syria (1999 through 2020)

Clinical Toxicology, Dec 16, 2022

Research paper thumbnail of The Prevalence and Risk Factors of COVID-Stress Syndrome

Research paper thumbnail of COVID-19 and Its Impact on Healthcare Workers: Understanding Stigma, Stress, and Quality of Life

Research paper thumbnail of Epidemiology of poisoning in Syria (1999 through 2020)

Research paper thumbnail of The prevalence of stress among medical students in Syria and its association with social support: a cross-sectional study

BMC Psychiatry, Feb 7, 2023

Introduction Chronic stress can interrupt personal life and cause fatigue, inability to concentra... more Introduction Chronic stress can interrupt personal life and cause fatigue, inability to concentrate, and irritability. This study aims to determine the prevalence of stress and its associated factors among medical students in Syria and whether social support could be a protective factor against stress. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the faculty of medicine of five Syrian universities. The Medical Student Stressor Questionnaire (MSSQ) was used to evaluate the stress caused by the possible sources of stress. And Social Support Questionnaire-short version (SSQ-short version) was used to assess the social support that medical students received from family, friends, and their fellow medical students using six questions. Results A total of 1472 medical students participated in the study. Among the total participants, 671 (45.6%) were males, and 801 (54.4%) were females. The majority of the participators had mild (50.6%; n = 745) and moderate (37.0%; n = 545) stress levels. Academic-related stressors were the most important cause of stress among undergraduate medical students. Social support was provided equally to both genders, and genders reported the same degree of satisfaction. Conclusion Our results emphasize the importance of improving the curricula, providing mental health consultants for students, and paying more attention to the mental health of female students. Finally, students in their clinical years should also receive mental health care, decreasing their duties and providing more self-free time.

Research paper thumbnail of The development and validation of a novel COVID19 stigma scale among healthcare workers (COVISS-HCWs)

BMC Health Services Research

Background and aim Fear of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its complications may result i... more Background and aim Fear of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its complications may result in stigmatization of individuals who may carry the virus. This is of special concern to healthcare workers who tolerate additional physical and emotional stress at times of pandemic. The aims of this study are to (1) develop and validate the COVID-19 Stigma Scale (COVISS-HCWs) survey; and (2) investigate the experience of stigma among healthcare workers possibly dealing with COVID-19 patients in five major public hospitals in Damascus, Syria. Methods We divided the sample into two parts and then underwent EFA on the first 350 participants, dividing the 14 questions into two dimensions. Furthermore, CFA was conducted on the other 350 participants to confirm how correctly a hypothesized model matched the factor structure by EFA, as described above. Moreover, the coefficient of determination (R2) and item–scale correlations (standardized factor loading) were estimated to establish the accept...