Saudi Arabian Students’ Beliefs about and Barriers to Online Education during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Pharmacy Students' Attitudes Toward Distance Learning After the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-Sectional Study From Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND

Electronic learning refers to the use of assistive tools in offline and distance learning environments. It allows students to access learning tools and materials anytime and anywhere. However, distance learning courses depend on several factors that affect the quality of learning, which consequently affect students' preferences in the settings and tools used to deliver educational materials.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate students' preferences for continuing distance learning after the pandemic and to assess the distance educational environment after the pandemic. It also aimed to identify the factors affecting distance learning and evaluate students' preferences regarding modes of communication with instructors.

METHODS

A web-based survey was used to conduct this cross-sectional study. The target participants of this study were students in the doctor of pharmacy program at Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim, Saudi Arabia. All students enrolled from December 2022 to January 2023 received an invitation with a link to the web-based survey.

RESULTS

The survey was completed by 141 students (58 female students and 83 male students). The research results showed that most students (102/141, 72.3%) did not wish to continue distance education for laboratory courses, and 60.3% (85/141) did not wish to continue taking distance team-based learning after the pandemic. Additionally, 83.7% (118/141) of the students indicated that distance courses were simple. More than half of the participants (79/141, 56%) stated that having a camera on during class negatively impacted their learning, and only 29.1% (41/141) of the students stated that nonvisual communication with their fellow students impacted their learning. A large proportion of students (83/141, 58.9%) reported impairment of social engagement on campus, 44% (62/141) in-person interactions during classes, and 73.7% (104/141) were relieved that their classes were not disrupted.

CONCLUSIONS

Similar to all types of education, distance learning is characterized by advantages and disadvantages, as reported by students. Students felt that the course material was intelligible, and the distance course was uncomplicated. Moreover, they expressed relief that their studies were not disrupted. However, they also reported the loss of face-to-face contact during courses as the most significant drawback of distance learning versus face-to-face learning, followed by a lack of social connection on campus.

Sociodemographic determinants of depression, anxiety, and stress immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study among university students in Saudi Arabia

Background

The public health measures taken in educational institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic had complex influences on students' mental health. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic among students at Qassim University, Saudi Arabia.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study among Qassim University students in Saudi Arabia. All students registered for the academic year 2022 were invited to participate in a survey through social media. A total of 453 participants completed an online survey that included the DASS-21 for assessing the emotional states of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress..

Results

The mean scores for Depression, Anxiety, and Stress, were 10.70, 11.18, and 10.40, respectively. At least 18% of the students reported experiencing moderate-to-severe levels of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress. The study showed that the feminine gender was associated with higher Depression, Anxiety, and Stress scores.

Conclusion

Students in the current study described experiencing higher levels of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings of the present study can help universities take targeted measures to address the impact of a pandemic like COVID-19 on students' mental health.

Barriers and Motivators toward Childhood COVID-19 Vaccination: A Cross-Sectional Study Conducted among Saudi Population

Background and Objectives: In 2020, one of the most important steps that were made was to give priority to the development of a COVID-19 vaccine to prevent the rising incidence of COVID-19 from continuing to rise. However, globally, there is a variable acceptance of the level of the COVID-19 vaccine. This study aims to explore Saudi parents' willingness to vaccinate their children against COVID-19. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study; the online questionnaire was used to investigate the views of Saudi parents with children aged under 18 toward the immunization of their children against COVID-19. The data were gathered from 10 May 2022 to 31 October 2022. The data analysis uses SPSS version 20. A p-value of 0.05 or lower was regarded as statistically significant. Results: A total of 978 Saudi parents participated in this study. Most of the respondents were from the age group of 36-45 years with the educational qualification of high school and bachelor's degree. Overall, it was observed that the majority, 98.2% of the respondents, disclosed that they needed more information (p = 0.004) about COVID-19 vaccine safety among children so that they could decide whether to vaccinate their child. About 91.4% of parents mention that vaccination against COVID-19 is not necessary for children (p = 0.001). About 68.3% of respondents agreed that getting vaccinated against COVID-19 could help Saudi Arabia control COVID-19 (p = 0.007, RI = 0.76). In terms of negative attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination, 71.3% think that there will be severe side effects (p = 0.019, RI = 0.75); 67.7% think that the vaccine's protection will only last for a short time (p = 0.055, RI = 0.72); 80.1% said they were afraid of getting vaccinated because of needle fear (p = 0.045, RI = 0.76), and 41.2% said lack of time was the main barrier to not vaccinating their child. Conclusions: Parents expressed concerns regarding the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine, which might be some of the main factors influencing their decision to vaccinate their children. It is the need of the hour to take action to communicate, educate, and intervene with Saudi parents to enhance COVID-19 vaccination compliance rates across the board.