The prevalence and risk factors of anxiety disorders in an Egyptian sample of school and students at the age of 12–18 years

Abstract

Background

generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are highly prevalent and impairing conditions among children and adolescent. There are some general population studies that have examined these conditions during the early life course.

The primary objectives of this study were to examine the prevalence, and socio-demographic factors related to GAD in representative sample of Egyptian school students (prep, middle and secondary students), and the correlation between adolescence and socio psychological factors that lead to anxiety disorders in adolescents.

Methods

The study included 1200 student (600 from rural area, and 600 from urban area), their age ranged from 12–18 years m we used GHQ (28 items with cut point 14), the anxiety scale and SCID I.

Results

The positive clinical cases represent 20.6%, depression is the most prevalent 23.8%, anxiety was (6.69%), body dysmorphic disorder (15.2%), adjustment disorder (13.8%); GAD (9.2%); obsession (7.4%)

Conclusions

Findings demonstrate the clinical significance socio demographic factors related to GAD among adolescent youth, and highlighting on the paternal relations.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.