Sleep quality and anxiety symptoms in Egyptian children and adolescents during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus Disease Pandemic 2019 has a pervasive effect on all health aspects include psychological and mental health. This study aimed to assess the hidden stressful impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Egyptian children and adolescents’ lifestyles 2 months after lockdown in Egypt by detecting symptoms of anxiety and sleep disorders. Online questionnaire was used by snowball sampling approach 2 months after lockdown targeting children and adolescents. RESULTS: The overall mean Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children score (SDSC) in participated groups was 44.6 ± 11.72. Of 765 participants 502 (65.6%) showed the symptoms suggestive of sleep disorder. Disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep were the most common among participants as 168 (33.4%) of them were suffering from it while 79 (15.7%) children were suffering from excessive somnolence. Linear stepwise regression revealed that anxiety score, understanding safety measures, and following strict quarantine measures significantly predicted SDSC (p = 0.001, 0.009, 0.046). Significant positive correlations were found between SDSC and extra screen usage, understanding safety and quarantine measures, anxiety signs, and change in child lifestyle with (p = 0.029, 0.010, 0.001 and 0.001) sequentially. Significant positive correlation was found between family income affection, SDSC, and anxiety with p value (00.001, 00.4). CONCLUSION: Child deprived of his or her normal lifestyle is vulnerable to develop anxiety symptoms and sleep disturbances. Low income, extra screen time, and restricted quarantine measures are all contributing factors that influence children and adolescent’s mental health.