Perceived effect of COVID-19 infection on communication skills among adolescents in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) defines communication impairment as difficulties in receiving, processing, sending, and understanding verbal and nonverbal symbols. Given the vital role of communication skills in our daily life and the high prevalence of COVID-19 among adolescents in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, this study aims to assess the perceived impact of COVID-19 on communication skills. This is a comparative cross-sectional study among middle and high school attendees, from public and private schools, in 4 major eastern province cities: (Alkhobar, Dammam, Qatif, and Alahsa). Women had significantly higher odds of communication skills by 2.24 the odds compared with men (AOR = 2.24; CI = 1.44-3.52; <i>P</i> value < 0.001). Students who live with one parent had significantly higher odds of communication skills by 2.67 odds compared with those living with both parents (AOR = 2.67; CI = 1.15-6.63; <i>P</i> value = 0.027). Students whose father earn from 5000 to 10,000 Riyals monthly and those whose parents earn more than 10,000 Riyals monthly had significantly higher odds of communication skills compared with those whose parents earn less than 5000 Riyals by 3.85 the odds (AOR = 3.85; CI = 1.75-8.89; <i>P</i> value = 0.001 and AOR = 3.85; CI = 1.73-8.94; <i>P</i> value = 0.001). Our findings show that despite contracting COVID-19, adolescents' self-perception of communication skills remains unaffected. Factors such as gender, family income, and single-parent households significantly differentiate adolescents with high communication skills from those with lower skills.