Prevalence of Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms Among University Students in Tabuk: A Cross-Sectional Study

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a prevalent psychiatric disorder that can significantly impair functioning and well-being. While OCD has been extensively studied in various populations, data on its prevalence among university students in the Tabuk region of Saudi Arabia remain limited.

To determine the prevalence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms among students at Tabuk University and explore their association with demographic and academic characteristics.

A cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2024 to December 2024 among 190 students at Tabuk University. Data were collected using an electronic questionnaire including socio-demographic information and the Arabic version of the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R). Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics, Version 30.0.

Among the participants, 41.6% showed probable OCD symptoms. Female students demonstrated a higher prevalence (45.3%) compared to males (36.9%). Students living alone or with roommates showed higher rates of probable OCD symptoms (54.2% and 50.0%, respectively) compared to those living with family (39.4%). Engineering and applied medical sciences students showed the highest rates of probable OCD symptoms (58.3% and 57.1%, respectively), while medical students showed the lowest (25.8%). Fifth-year students demonstrated the highest prevalence (77.8%).

A considerable proportion of Tabuk University students exhibit probable OCD symptoms, with variations across different demographic and academic characteristics. These findings highlight the need for targeted mental health interventions and support services within the university setting.