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Table 4 Prevalence of GAD-7 score ≥ 8 by opinions on precautionary measures taken (N = 1469)

From: The psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adults and children in the United Arab Emirates: a nationwide cross-sectional study

Characteristics

Category

Frequency (n)

%

Anxiety GAD-7 Score (≥8)

% (n)

Chi Square χ2

p-value

I feel that my levels of anxiety have reduced with the introduction of the following precautionary measures

 Online learning at educational institutions

Strongly disagree/Disagree

220

15.0

65.0 (143)

36.55

< 0.001*

Neutral

238

16.2

57.6 (137)

Strongly agree/Agree

1011

68.8

44.7 (452)

 Airport screening

Strongly disagree/Disagree

67

4.6

61.2 (41)

14.14

0.001*

Neutral

136

9.3

62.5 (85)

Strongly agree/ Agree

1266

86.2

47.9 (606)

 Travel bans

Strongly disagree/Disagree

65

4.4

55.4 (36)

11.11

0.004*

Neutral

79

5.4

67.1 (53)

Strongly agree/Agree

1325

90.2

48.5 (643)

 Hand sanitizers in public spaces

Strongly disagree/ Disagree

33

2.2

51.5 (17)

2.31

0.315

Neutral

98

6.7

57.1 (56)

Strongly agree/ Agree

1338

91.1

49.3 (659)

 Cancellation of social events

Strongly disagree/Disagree

34

2.3

61.8 (21)

7.59

0.022*

Neutral

50

3.4

66.0 (33)

Strongly agree /Agree

1385

94.3

49.0 (678)

 Temporary closure of public places

Strongly disagree/Disagree

47

3.2

51.1 (24)

1.76

0.415

Neutral

51

3.5

58.8 (30)

Strongly agree/Agree

1371

93.3

49.5 (678)

 Social isolation

Strongly disagree /Disagree

49

3.3

61.2 (30)

7.26

0.026*

Neutral

82

5.6

61.0 (50)

Strongly agree/Agree

1338

91.1

48.7 (652)

Precautionary measures category

Disagree with precautionary measures

605

41.2

54.9 (332)

10.48

0.001*

Agree with precautionary measures

864

58.8

46.3(400)

  1. *Significant at p < 0.05