Anxiety Disorders among Patients in Primary Care Centers

Abstract

Background: Anxiety disorders are some of the most common mental health issues globally, with significant consequences for individuals' quality of life and overall well-being. In primary care settings, anxiety disorders frequently co-occur with somatic

Aim of study: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of anxiety disorders among patients presenting with somatic complaints in a primary care setting.

Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 106 patients visiting a primary care unit. Participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing somatic symptoms and anxiety disorders. Diagnostic interviews were also conducted to confirm anxiety disorder.

Results: The study included a total of 106 participants. The majority of participants were young adults aged 26-35 years (32.1%), followed by the 36-45 age group (26.4%). A smaller proportion of participants were in the older age group of 56-65 years (7.5%). In terms of gender, the sample was predominantly female (66%), with a smaller proportion of male participants (34%). results were shown that the prevalence of anxiety among a sample of 106 participants reached about 83%, which reported experiencing some level of anxiety, ranging from simple to severe. Income level emerged as a significant predictor of anxiety. Individuals with lower income levels were more likely to experience higher levels of anxiety. On the other hand, Age, sex, marital status, and number of children were not found to be significant predictors of anxiety in this study. The high prevalence of anxiety highlights the need for increased mental health awareness and access to mental health services. The significant association between income level and anxiety suggests that socioeconomic factors may play a crucial role in mental health.

Conclusion: Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent among primary care patients with somatic complaints. These findings highlight the importance of screening for and managing anxiety in this patient population to improve clinical outcomes.