The novel coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) first emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan, China [34]. Subsequently, it has spread fiercely around the world compelling the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020, to declare the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic. The first confirmed case in Kuwait was announced on February 24, 2020, while the first death was reported on April 4, 2020. As of 12 August, there were 73,785 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 65,451 recoveries and 489 deaths.
COVID-19 is the most recently discovered member of several coronaviruses with many similarities with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The virus is highly contagious and infectious affecting all segments of the population. However, the elderly and patients with preexisting conditions including diabetes and cardiovascular, respiratory, and immune diseases are more susceptible and experience more severe symptoms. The virus is transmitted via close contact (< 2.0 m), droplets (from coughing/sneezing), and in rare cases airborne. It attacks primarily the respiratory system causing a wide range of cold-like symptoms, most common are fever, cough, sneeze, runny nose, sore throat, chills, headache, loss of taste or smell, tiredness, muscle aches, and chest pain. However, in some cases vulnerable patients may experience shortness/difficulty of breathing and possible fatality.
After a rapid increase in cases, the Kuwaiti government implemented rigorous measures to intercept the virus spread. The Kuwaiti government suspended work, schools, universities, public events, social gathering, and closed boarders and public parks. Subsequently constraining people to home confinement and the entire country was lockdown. These measures can lead to social isolation and loneliness [26]. However, among the procedures, the government allowed a daily 2 h of grace period, during which many people may use this time to engage in physical activity (PA).
The combination of the virus complications, implemented governmental procedures, and the absence of pharmacological interventions, most likely people would experience emotional, psychological, and behavioral changes [6, 25]. Cao et al. [9] argued that when faced with highly contagious diseases people may experience unbearable psychological distress that may trigger harmful behaviors [23]. Subsequently, these feelings can lead to anxiety, depression, and poor mental health, and, in some cases, suicidal ideation [7, 26]. In fact, in a recent study, 53.8% reported moderate/severe psychological effect; 28.8% reported moderate/severe anxiety symptoms; 16.5% reported moderate/severe depressive symptoms; and 8.1% reported moderate/severe stress levels [31].
Regular participation in PA is frequently cited as the first step in lifestyle modifications to prevent and manage chronic disease [4], including psychological disorders. Regular participation in PA seems to improve self-efficacy [22], while reducing anxiety [17], depression [16], and negative moods [8, 11]. The global standard recommendations for PA—150 min/week of moderate PA or 75 min/week vigorous PA [33]—is effective in treating psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, stress, and panic. Therefore, given these mental and psychological benefits, PA should be incorporated into epidemic risk reduction programs. Even during a quarantine, or total curfew, PA can be carried out at home [20].
At the time of this study, the COVID-19 outbreak curve indicated that Kuwait had approached the epidemic peak. Consequently, symptoms of psychological disorders (i.e., anxiety and depression) have likely already emerged [31]. PA, as indicated earlier, could be an important method for reducing these symptoms. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of generalized anxiety and depression symptoms in Kuwaiti nationals and expats. The study’s secondary aim was to identify the association between sociodemographic characteristics and PA engagement, with psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kuwait. The author expects to increase prevalence of anxiety and depression during COVID-19 in Kuwait. Additionally, age, gender, marital status, and occupations would be associated with psychological status among the participants.