Mental Health Outcomes of COVID-19 Quarantine and Social Isolation among MENA Region: A Rapid Review

Abstract

Quick Response Code Abstract: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the most serious health crisis in modern times worldwide, challenging the healthcare systems to contempt conventional practices to prevent exposure to infection and death. Deception of information from social media caused a psychological burden due to fear of contamination in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Method: This rapid review study was conducted to provide evidence on the psychological burden in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) regions and to prevent the psychological burden during any pandemic situation. Results: Opportunities for Mental health promotion are very minimal or still emerging in the MENA region. Also, there is a lack of concerted research evidence for mental health impacts during previous pandemics like severe acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Ebola, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). MENA region is evaded many opportunities to advance mental health promotion activities and its preventive measures during quarantine, creating the negative effects which are mentioned in the studies as anxiety, stress, fear, sleep disturbance, and depression. Conclusion: The psychological impact of COVID 19 has been significant among the MENA region population. Many countries in the MENA region have an opportunity to quickly strengthen and accord significantly to combat against the psychological impact during the pandemic.