Association between anxiety and sociodemographic characteristics among medical students in Al-Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Anxiety is a common medical issue in Saudi Arabia, particularly among medical students. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the association between anxiety and sociodemographic characteristics among medical students in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 350 questionnaires were distributed among medical students to investigate the presence of anxiety disorders among them and the associated demographic factors. The study included medical students of different education years at the Faculty of Medicine, Al-Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University. A questionnaire formed of 35 questions was distributed electronically among the students by the help of the leader of each educational year. The level of anxiety of each student was determined according to the score of questionnaire answers and the Beck Anxiety Inventory; where the score of 0–21 = no or low anxiety, score of 22–35 = moderate anxiety, score of 36 and above = severe or potentially concerning levels of anxiety. Results: Three hundred and sixteen medical students completed the questionnaire with a response rate 90%. Anxiety was identified in 201/316 (63.6%) students; 98/201 (48.7%) students were with moderate anxiety, and 103/201 (51.3%) with severe anxiety. Out of the 236 males, 136/236 (57.6%) were found to have anxiety, whereas, of the 80 females, 65/80 (81.3%) were found to have anxiety. About 51.3% of the females were found to have severe anxiety compared to only 26.3% of the males. Conclusion: Anxiety is a common problem among medical students of Al-Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Saudi Arabia with more prevalence among female medical students compared to males. Furthermore, there was a significant association between satisfaction to study medicine and decreased anxiety development. However, there was no significant association between anxiety and the other studied sociodemographic factors.