Prevalence and risk factors of anxiety among female governmental secondary schools students in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Aim: The study aimed to measure the prevalence and risk factors of Anxiety among Female Governmental Secondary schools students, in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: Cross sectional study was conducted in Al-Madinah city in 2014. Only Female secondary school students were included for study. Multistage sampling technique was used for student’s inclusion. The researcher used a self-administered questionnaire containing socio-demographic data and anxiety questionnaire developed by AL-Taif Mental Health sector. 10 students were given this questionnaire as a pilot study. All data has been entered and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: The present study indicates the prevalence and risk factors of anxiety among female governmental secondary school students of Al-Madinah city. Overall 64.6% of students showed symptoms of anxiety. High morbid anxiety was reported among 25.5% of secondary school girls whereas high not morbid anxiety was reported among 39.1% of them. Association between students believing that school`s examinations increase anxiety symptoms and anxiety was observed. Students who did not believe that anxiety symptoms increase by school`s examinations reported higher rate of high morbid anxiety compared to those who believe that anxiety symptoms increase by school`s examinations (56% versus 23.4%). The present study did not reveal significant association between anxiety and socio-demographic characteristics of the school girls. Conclusion: The present study indicates anxiety is prevalent among secondary school girls as almost one-fourth of them reported high morbid anxiety and more than one third reported high but not morbid anxiety. Socio-demographic characteristics of the school girls were not significantly associated with anxiety.