Prevalence Of Anxiety Symptoms Research Articles

Anxiety in the emergency medical practice – its psychiatric and somatic origin, comorbidities, behavior and treatment

Anxiety conditions and disorders are common in the general population, and patients suffering from them often seek the services of emergency departments. Anxiety is a psychopathological symptom that accompanies not only psychiatric conditions, but a wide range of somatic diseases, and a combination of both. The biochemical and pathophysiological mechanisms of psychosomatic interrelationship and comorbidity are complex and multi-layered. Thus, diagnosing the root cause of anxiety is a clinical challenge. Early, and on time, recognition of an anxiety disorder helps to avoid unnecessary investigations, ensures correct treatment and saves hospital resources. Careful use of medications, psychoeducation and referral to a specialist improves patient outcome with this potentially debilitating disease. In this article, the authors aim to present in a synthesized form the main epidemiological data on the prevalence of anxiety symptoms and disorders, anatomical localization and biochemical mechanisms and relationships in the pathogenesis of anxiety symptoms, as well as to derive the main guidelines for recognizing and differentiating clinicopathological constellations in somatic conditions in emergency medical practice. Materials and methods. Existing published studies from an international database, related to the subject of the article, have been thoroughly studied. Results. Anxiety symptoms, in particular panic attacks and disorders, are widespread in primary care and occupy a significant part of the work process, especially at times of peak loads, natural disasters and situations of mass traumatism. Conclusions. Timely training and good preparation for recognition and adequate assessment of anxiety conditions in primary and emergency medical care significantly shorten the therapeutic route of patients. They receive competent help on time, and the cost of their treatment is significantly reduced. Discussion. Modern medical science, including psychiatric, offers advanced drug and non-drug methods for the treatment and prevention of anxiety conditions and disorders.

Exploring the Association between Elevated Anxiety Symptoms and Low Skeletal Muscle Mass among Asymptomatic Adults: A Population-Based Study in Republic of Korea.

Individuals with mental health problems are at higher risk of musculoskeletal diseases. However, the association between low muscle mass (LMM) and anxiety symptoms remains uninvestigated. This cross-sectional study enrolled 174,262 adults (73,833 women, 100,429 men), aged 18 to 89, who completed the anxiety scale and body composition analyses. Using bio-electrical impedance analysis, skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) was calculated based on appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) (kg)/height (m2). LMM was defined as SMI < 7.0 kg/m2 in men and <5.4 kg/m2 in women. Anxiety symptoms were screened using the Clinical Useful Anxiety Outcome Scale (CUXOS) with cut-off scores of 20, 30, and 40. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. LMM prevalence was 20.17% in women, 3.86% in men (p < 0.001). The prevalence of anxiety symptoms in LMM group decreased from mild (CUXOS > 20: women, 32.74%, men, 21.17%) to moderate (CUXOS > 30: 13.34%, 7.32%), to severe anxiety symptoms (CUXOS > 40: 4.00%, 1.73%). In multivariable-adjusted models, LMM was associated with mild (aOR (95% confidence interval)), women, 1.13 (1.08-1.17); men, 1.17 (1.08-1.27)), moderate (1.17 (1.11-1.24); 1.35 (1.19-1.53) and severe anxiety symptoms (1.18 (1.07-1.3), 1.36 (1.06-1.74)), demonstrating an increased risk of ORs with escalating anxiety severity. LMM was independently associated with a higher prevalence of anxiety symptoms.

Factors associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms among anophthalmic patients wearing ocular prostheses

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression among individuals with ocular prostheses and to identify factors associated with these psychological symptoms. A sample of patients who underwent monocular enucleation and socket implantation participated in the study, responding to digital questionnaires covering demographics, psychosocial factors, and aspects related to their ocular prostheses. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were evaluated using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), respectively. Optimal scale regression analysis was employed to explore factors linked to psychological symptoms in ocular prosthesis users. Results from 100 valid participants revealed a 51% prevalence of depressive symptoms and a 45% prevalence of anxiety symptoms. The mean PHQ-9 score was 4.91 &amp;plusmn; 1.98, and the mean GAD-7 score was 4.99 &amp;plusmn; 2.15. Factors such as undergoing right eye enucleation, longer duration of ocular prosthesis use, comfort with prosthesis wearing, and greater satisfaction correlated with milder depressive symptoms. In terms of anxiety, those who used ocular prostheses due to trauma or tumors were affected by more severe symptoms, while individuals who were comfortable with their prosthesis or using alumina-based prostheses reported fewer anxiety symptoms. In conclusion, ocular prosthesis users wrestle with significant challenges of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Factors including age, household registration, economic status, enucleation side, cause of anophthalmos, prosthetic material, and satisfaction and duration of prosthesis use were associated with depressive or anxiety symptoms. Long-term comprehensive care targeting these vulnerable individuals is imperative to alleviate depression and anxiety.

Understanding and Addressing the Impact of Parental Stress and Stigma in Raising Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Low-Resource Settings

The burden on parents raising children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is escalating globally, particularly in middle and low-income countries, where access to resources and support is limited. This study aimed to investigate the levels of stress, stigma, and coping strategies among parents of children with ASD in Kawempe Division, Kampala, Uganda. Through a sample of 28 parents drawn from Katalemwa Cheshire Home, data was collected using self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results revealed very high levels of stress and stigma among parents, as evidenced by a grand mean of 3.71 (SD = 0.79) for stress and 3.57 (SD = 0.55) for stigma. These stressors encompassed various domains, including financial difficulties, marital conflicts, and psychological strain resulting from societal discrimination. Parents reported experiencing feelings of shame, embarrassment, and hopelessness, exacerbated by societal misconceptions and the lack of support systems. Notably, the prevalence of anxiety symptoms among parents (45.9%) surpassed previous estimates, indicating a significant mental health burden within this population. Furthermore, the coping mechanisms employed by parents were found to be inadequate, with a grand mean of 1.78 (SD = 0.77) for coping strategies. Positive coping strategies, such as seeking new job opportunities for their children, were limited, while negative coping mechanisms, including substance abuse and rudeness, were more prevalent. These findings underscore the urgent need for tailored interventions to equip parents with effective coping strategies and stress management techniques. The study highlights the challenges faced by parents raising children with ASD in low resource settings, shedding light on the psychological, social, and economic burdens they endure. Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive support systems, including training programs, workshops, and access to resources aimed at empowering parents and enhancing their well-being. By understanding and addressing the specific stressors and coping mechanisms within this population, interventions can be developed to alleviate the burdens faced by parents, ultimately improving their quality of life and promoting the holistic development of children with ASD. Keywords: Stress, Stigma, Coping Strategies, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Raising children

Association of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and sleep quality with anxiety symptoms: a cross-sectional study of Tibetan college students at high altitude.

Research on the association between sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) consumption and sleep quality with anxiety symptoms has been highly emphasized. However, past studies have focused on college students in plains areas, while fewer research studies have been conducted on Tibetan college students at high altitudes. Whether this association changes due to ethnicity or altitude is unclear. The present study will contribute to the prevention and intervention of depressive symptoms among Tibetan college students at high altitude. A self-assessment questionnaire was administered to 3,026 university students (1,491 boys students, 49.27%) on SSBs consumption, sleep quality and anxiety symptoms status in the Tibetan Plateau, a high-altitude region of China. Logistic regression analysis and ordered logistic regression analysis in generalized linear model were used to analyze the association between SSBs consumption and sleep quality with anxiety symptoms. The prevalence of anxiety symptoms among Tibetan college students at high altitude was 26.9%. SSBs consumption of ≤1 times/week, 2-5 times/week, and ≥ 6 times/week were 20.7, 28.1, and 45.7%, respectively, with statistically significant differences (χ2 value of 134.353, p < 0.001). Anxiety detection rates for Sleep quality of Good (PSQI ≤5), Moderate (PSQI 6-7), and Poor (PSQI >7) were 16.8, 19.8, and 32.0%, respectively, and the difference was also statistically significant (χ2 value was 73.761, p < 0.001). The ordered logistic regression analysis in the generalized linear model showed that, overall, the group of college students with SSBs ≤1 times/week and sleep quality of Good served as the reference group, and the group with SSBs ≥6 times/week and sleep quality of Poor (OR: 5.06, 95% CI: 3.75-6.83) had the highest risk of anxiety symptoms. SSBs consumption and sleep quality were associated with anxiety symptoms, and there was an interaction effect. Effective control of SSBs consumption and improvement of sleep quality may be important factors in preventing and reducing the occurrence of anxiety symptoms.

Intrarelationships between suboptimal health status and anxiety symptoms: A network analysis

BackgroundSuboptimal health status is a global public health concern of worldwide academic interest, which is an intermediate health status between health and illness. The purpose of the survey is to investigate the relationship between anxiety statuses and suboptimal health status and to identify the central symptoms and bridge symptoms. MethodsThis study recruited 26,010 participants aged <60 from a cross-sectional study in China in 2022. General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and suboptimal health status short form (SHSQ-9) were used to quantify the levels of anxiety and suboptimal health symptoms, respectively. The network analysis method by the R program was used to judge the central and bridge symptoms. The Network Comparison Test (NCT) was used to investigate the network differences by gender, place of residence, and age in the population. ResultsIn this survey, the prevalence of anxiety symptoms, SHS, and comorbidities was 50.7 %, 54.8 %, and 38.5 %, respectively. “Decreased responsiveness”, “Shortness of breath”, “Uncontrollable worry” were the nodes with the highest expected influence. “Irritable”, “Exhausted” were the two symptom nodes with the highest expected bridge influence in the network. There were significant differences in network structure among different subgroup networks. LimitationsUnable to study the causal relationship and dynamic changes among variables. Anxiety and sub-health were self-rated and may be limited by memory bias. ConclusionsInterventions targeting central symptoms and bridge nodes may be expected to improve suboptimal health status and anxiety in Chinese residents. Researchers can build symptom networks for different populations to capture symptom relationships.

Частота тривожно-депресивного синдрому в дітей, хворих на запальні захворювання кишечника

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) have been spreading rapidly in industrialized countries since the beginning of the 21st century. Purpose - to determine the frequency of symptoms of anxiety and depression in children with IBD, in order to optimize treatment. Materials and methods. 18 patients aged 10-17 years were surveyed: 10 people with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 8 people with Crohn’s disease (CD), symptoms of anxiety and depression were studied using PHQ-2, PHQ-9 questionnaires (Patient Health Questionnaire) and GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder). The obtained results were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 programs. The odds ratio (OR) was considered significant if the 95% confidence interval (CI) did not include 1. The difference in samples was considered significant at p&lt;0.05. Results. Of the 18 patients who were surveyed using the PHQ-2 questionnaire, 13 (72.2%) were screened for further investigation using the PHQ-9 questionnaire. The prevalence of anxiety symptoms was 55.5% (95% CI: 38.3-66.5), depressive symptoms - 34.8% (95% CI: 21.4-45.8). Patients with CD had higher odds of anxiety symptoms (OR: 1.2, 95% CI: 1.1-3.6) and depressive symptoms (OR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1-1.7) than children with UC. There were differences in the severity of anxiety and depression in different pathological conditions (IBD: p&lt;0.01; UC: p&lt;0.05; CD: p=0.05). The frequency of symptoms of anxiety or depression was higher in patients with active IBD than in children with inactive disease (100% and 33.3% and 100% and 45.8%, respectively). Minimal (0-4 points) and mild (5-9) degrees of anxiety and depression prevailed. Conclusions. The frequency of detection of symptoms of anxiety and depression in children with CD and UC in the active stage of the disease is 55.5% and 34.8%, respectively, with a predominance of minimal (0-4 points) and mild (5-9) degrees. Patients with CD are higher odds of anxiety and depression symptoms than children with UC. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the participating institution. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.

The prevalence of anxiety and related factors among primary and secondary school teachers in Hanoi, Vietnam, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

The working conditions for teachers in Vietnam were characterized by increased workload and pressure, burdening teachers' well-being. The study aims to investigate anxiety prevalence and identify some related factors among primary and secondary school teachers in Hanoi after the first COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. This paper analyzed data of 481 teachers working at ten primary and secondary schools in Hanoi city. Anxiety was measured using the anxiety component of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress scale 42 items. Multivariable logistics regression was performed to examine anxiety-related factors using SPSS 20.0 at a significant level p less than 0.05. The prevalence of anxiety symptoms was 42.4% and similar between primary and secondary school teachers. More secondary teachers reported moderate to severe anxiety symptoms than primary teachers did (31.6% and 27.7%). Primary school teachers who felt discomfort with their supervisor's assessment, high responsibility for student safety, and ever thinking of leaving their current job were more likely to report anxiety symptoms (OR (95%CI) = 2.8 (1.2-6.5), 3.6 (1.0-12.8), and 2.6 (1.3-5.4), respectively). Meanwhile, the discomfort of caring for many students or problematic students, repetitive work, and disagreement with coworkers were risk factors of anxiety among secondary school teachers (OR (95%CI) = 2.6 (1.2-5.8), 3.2 (1.1-9.2), 3.4 (1.3-8.8), and 3.7 (1.1-12.6), respectively). In conclusion, the prevalence of teachers with anxiety symptoms is on the rise, caused by the characteristics of the job and professional relationships. Tailored support for teachers in different grades is necessary to improve and prevent teachers' anxiety.

The spectrum of psychological disorders in family members of patients suffering from delirium associated with critical illness: a prospective, observational study

During intensive care unit admission, relatives of critically ill patients can experience emotional distress. The authors hypothesized that families of patients who are diagnosed with intensive care unit (ICU) delirium experience more profound depression and anxiety disorders related to stress than do families of patients without delirium. We performed a prospective observational single-center study including families of adult patients (age above 18 years) hospitalized in a 17-bed ICU of a university hospital for at least 48 h who completed research questionnaires at day 2 after admission and day 30 after initial evaluation using dedicated questionnaires (HADS, CECS, IES, PTSD-C). A total of 98 family members of patients hospitalized in the ICU were included in the final analysis (50 family members whose relatives were CAM-ICU positive (DEL+), and 48 family members of patients without delirium (DEL−)). No statistically significant differences in demographics and psychosocial data were found between the groups. In the follow-up 30 days after the first conversation with a family member, the mean PTSD score for the relatives of patients with delirium was 11.02 (Me = 13.0; SD = 5.74), and the mean score for nondelirious patients' family members was 6.42 (Me = 5.5; SD = 5.50; p < 0.001). A statistically significant increase in IES scores for family members of patients with delirium was observed for total PTSD (p = 0.001), IES—intrusion (p < 0.001), and IES—hyperarousal (p = 0.002). The prevalence of anxiety symptoms, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was higher in families of patients diagnosed with ICU delirium within 48 h of admission to the ICU. No factors increasing the depth of these disorders in family members of patients with ICU delirium were identified. Taking appropriate actions and thus providing families with appropriate support will contribute to the understanding of unfavorable emotional states, including anxiety, stress, depression, anger, agitation, or avoidance.

Dose-response association of sleep duration with anxiety symptoms in Chinese type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objectives Anxiety is a disorder with a high prevalence in T2DM, and some studies have found that sleep problems can cause anxiety. Therefore, this study explored the independent effects of night sleep duration on anxiety symptoms in T2DM patients. Research Design and Methods A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted using self-reported questionnaires and taking into account several socio-demographic, lifestyle and health related characteristics. The 1,611 participants enrolled in our study. Anxiety was assessed by the Zung self-rating anxiety scale (SAS). A multivariate logistic regression model and restricted cubic spline with anxiety symptoms as the dependent variable were fitted. Results Of the T2DM patients in this study, 891 (55.31%) were male, 720 (44.69%) were female and 207 (12.85%) had anxiety symptoms. Controlling for potential confounders and intermediates, sleep duration &gt;8 h relative to intermediate sleep (7–8 h) was significantly associated with anxiety syndrome (OR: 1.46, 95% CI [1.06–2.02], p = 0.02) and a J-shaped association was found between sleep duration and anxiety. The prevalence of anxiety symptoms was higher in the male group (&gt;8 h/night) compared to the female. Study participants under the age of 50 who had a shorter sleep duration had a higher prevalence of anxiety compared to those between the ages of 50 and 60. Conclusion Among Chinese T2DM patients, there is a dose-response relationship between night sleep duration and anxiety, these findings may propose important public health implications for diabetes management.

Anxiety Symptoms and Associated Psychological and Job-Related Factors Among Hospital Nurses.

Recently, burnout and mental health issues regarding nurses are reported increasingly. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of anxiety symptoms among hospital nurses and determine their association with psychological and job-related factors. Data on demographics, job-related characteristics, burnout, Type A behavior patterns, self-esteem, and happiness were collected from 515 nurses working at a university hospital in Korea. Anxiety symptoms were assessed using the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, with scores of 8 or higher indicating the presence of anxiety symptoms. Demographic, job-related, and psychological factors were compared according to the presence of anxiety. Logistic regression was conducted to identify factors associated with anxiety symptoms. Two hundred and four (39.6%) participants had anxiety symptoms. Self-esteem and happiness were associated with a lower risk of anxiety symptoms, whereas burnout was associated with a higher risk of anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, being female, having a career of less than five years, and requiring counseling due to stress were associated with a higher risk of anxiety symptoms. Being younger, female, or a basic nurse; having a career of less than five years; partaking in shift work; experiencing job dissatisfaction; requiring counseling due to stress; being exposed to higher levels of burnout; and having lower levels of self-esteem and happiness were all found to be significantly correlated with anxiety symptoms. These findings suggest that promoting self-esteem and happiness while reducing burnout may be beneficial in preventing and managing anxiety symptoms among hospital nurses.

Depressão, ansiedade e uso de medicamentos em acadêmicos de psicologia

Anxiety and depression are emotional disorders that can be caused by stressful factors in the academic as well as in the professional sphere. The objective was evaluating the prevalence of depression, anxiety and medication use in psychology students. This is a quantitative, cross-sectional and comparative research. The students of the Psychology of a private institution of higher education in the city of Montes Claros – MG, were the target audience. Thirty-three night-time students of both genders, aged 18 or older, were randomly selected. Three questionnaires were used, Beck Depression Inventory, Anxiety Beck Inventory and Morisky-Green Test that aimed to contribute to the identification of issues related to anxiety and depression and medication use. The results showed a higher prevalence of female students (81.8%). Through the data it was possible to reveal that by joining the moderate and severe anxieties we have almost one third of the group surveyed (30.4%). As for depression, it was evidenced that (54.5%) they do not present a depressive condition, and that the researched public is less adherent to the use of medications (72.7%). The results found allow us to conclude that there is a higher prevalence of anxiety symptoms among students and, consequently, the use of medications, so as not to leave it aside even at times when it is feeling well, and a lower prevalence referring to symptoms of depression.

Assessing the Prevalence Rates of Internalizing Symptomatology Among Multiracial Adolescents in the United States: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review aimed to investigate the prevalence of internalizing symptomatology among Multiracial adolescents in the United States and to report on the methods utilized to measure Multiracial race and internalizing symptoms. A comprehensive search was conducted in Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, APA PsycInfo, and Web of Science Core Collection. The search was confined to peer-reviewed studies reporting the prevalence of any internalizing symptom among Multiracial adolescents between 10 and 24years in the United States. Study selection, data abstraction, and quality assessments were managed by four team members. Between 2000 and 2023, nine studies provided prevalence estimates and used various methods to measure Multiracial race and internalizing symptoms. Prevalence estimates displayed considerable variability depending on symptom examined and measurement method utilized. For all internalizing symptomatology, estimates ranged between 7.5 and 55.2%; for depressive symptomatology, estimates ranged between 12.8 and 51.0%. No information on the prevalence of anxiety symptoms alone were provided. This review represents a pioneering attempt to report the prevalence of internalizing symptomatology among Multiracial adolescents in the United States, revealing significant gaps in current knowledge and methodological inconsistencies in the field. There exists a need for more comprehensive epidemiological research with this growing population.

Effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) group intervention for the treatment of anxiety in family carers of people with dementia: an exploratory randomised controlled trial

AbstractBackgroundThe prevalence of anxiety symptoms is estimated to be equal to or higher than the prevalence of depressive symptoms in family carers of people with dementia. However, anxiety is currently somehow neglected in the carer literature. Previous studies demonstrated that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is effective for treating anxiety symptoms in family carers of people with dementia, but these studies were mainly conducted in developed countries. The current study explored the effectiveness of an ACT group intervention on the anxiety symptoms in Brazilian family carers of people with dementia.MethodA single‐centre, unblinded, double‐arm exploratory randomised trial was conducted. Fifty‐seven family carers of people with dementia presenting with mild to severe anxiety symptoms were randomised to the intervention group (n = 29) or waiting list group (n = 28). The intervention group received eight weekly sessions of Group ACT, delivered through videoconference. Participants completed the measure of anxiety and depressive symptoms, caregiver burden, psychological flexibility and quality of life at Week 0, Week 9 and Week 20. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate whether there was a significant difference in scores between the intervention and control groups, at week 9 and week 20, while controlling for the baseline scores using both intention‐to‐treat and completers data analyses.ResultParticipants were mostly women, from low‐ to middle‐income socioeconomic levels, with a mean age of 52 years and median education of 15 years. Participants in the intervention group had lower scores of anxiety and depression symptoms compared to participants in the control condition at weeks 9 and 20 in both the intention‐to‐treat and completer analyses. Only participants who attended six or more sessions (i.e. completer sample) demonstrated reduced caregiver burden at both follow‐up points. The completer sample also showed improvement in quality of life at week 9. The results did not show any effect of the intervention on psychological flexibility.ConclusionThis study provides evidence supporting the use of group ACT, delivered through videoconference, with family carers of people with dementia to help them cope better with anxiety and depressive symptoms.

The role of experiential avoidance and cognitive fusion in the development of anxiety symptoms among family carers of people with dementia

AbstractBackgroundDespite the high prevalence of anxiety symptoms among family carers of people with dementia (Kaddour &amp; Kishita, 2020), current carer interventions are considered to be not as effective for anxiety as they are for depression (Kishita et al., 2018). Therefore, understanding the mechanism by which a common stressor (i.e. carer subjective burden) and underlying psychological processes influence anxiety symptoms among this population is critical to inform future interventions. In this study, the roles of two psychological processes known to be associated with mental health problems were explored: experiential avoidance in caregiving (an attempt or desire to control or suppress distressing thoughts and feelings related to caregiving) and cognitive fusion (the tendency for one’s behaviour to be overly regulated and influenced by thoughts).MethodWith a sample of seventy‐seven family carers (mean age of 63.47 years (SD = 10.64) and 73% female), this study examined the indirect effect of carer subjective burden (ZBI‐12) on anxiety symptoms (GAD‐7) through experiential avoidance in caregiving (EACQ) and cognitive fusion (CFQ) using a path analysis approach.ResultThe whole sample model showed a good fit to the data. The indirect effect of carer subjective burden on anxiety symptoms through its effect on cognitive fusion (β = .17), and its combined effect on experiential avoidance in caregiving and cognitive fusion (β = .01) were significant. Examined variables accounted for 54% of the variance in anxiety symptoms.ConclusionGiven the higher explanatory value demonstrated for the indirect effect of cognitive fusion alone, facilitating cognitive fusion through psychological interventions may be critical for preventing clinically significant levels of anxiety symptoms, particularly among those carers experiencing high levels of carer subjective burden. The results also demonstrated that family carers with higher experiential avoidance in caregiving may be prone to cognitive fusion, which in turn could lead to higher levels of anxiety symptoms. Therefore, an early intervention targeting experiential avoidance may be beneficial for preventing increased cognitive fusion and anxiety symptoms.

Prevalencia y factores de riesgo de depresión y ansiedad en trabajadores de salud de primera línea en la pandemia de COVID-19 en Bucaramanga y su área metropolitana

Introduction: The rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide has created a health emergency leading to overloading health systems and exposing the personnel who work in these health institutions to stressors that impact their physical and emotional health. Available information on conditions caused by viral outbreaks and previous pandemics indicates that healthcare workers and others on the front lines are at increased risk of infection and various adverse outcomes. Objective: To establish the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms and associated factors in frontline care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Bucaramanga and its Metropolitan Area, Santander, Colombia. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study. The outcomes were symptoms of anxiety and depression assessed with the Hopkins Checklist-25 Scale (HSCL-25) questionnaire. The prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms was calculated, and bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression. Results: A total of 1118 participants were included. The prevalence of anxiety symptoms was 5.55% (95% CI 4.27-7.05), depression 4.56% (95% CI 3.41-5.95), and both 7.42% (95% CI 5.95-9.12). In the bivariate analysis, seven factors were associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression, however, only four of them remained in the multivariate model: marital status OR: 2.65 (95% CI 1.17-5.98); obesity (OR: 3.21 ,95% CI 1.67-6.17); “someone in your household has been diagnosed with COVID-19” (OR: 2.28 ,95% CI 1.39-3.76) and “has symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 14 days” (OR: 2.09 ,95% CI 1.25-3.50). Conclusions: The prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression was lower than that reported in other studies. However, it is important to continue taking these symptoms into account and, as necessary, conduct an intervention with psychological support programs by mental health specialists.

Post-conflict acute stress reactions in Kazakhstan in the aftermath of January 2022 unrests: A national survey

BackgroundIn January 2022 Kazakhstan experienced unprecedented nationwide protests that quickly turned to violent riots. Although the number of individuals affected physically by the disturbances were cited, the emotional toll of the events remains undetermined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the comparative rates of acute stress reactions in Kazakhstan in the aftermath of the unrests. MethodsA cross-sectional, population-based online survey was conducted one month after the start of the disturbances. The study questionnaire were completed anonymously and included the Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5) and the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), as well as socio-demographic and event exposure information. ResultsOf the 7021 people who initially agreed to participate, 6510 were able to complete the full survey. For a cut-off of ≥3 on the PC-PTSD-5, 14.8 % of the study participants exhibited symptoms. With a cut-off of ≥4, this percentage reduced to 4.6 %. Participants from Almaty city and Almaty region who experienced the most extensive disturbances showed a doubled prevalence compared to the national level (30.0 % for a cut-off of ≥3, and 10.1 % for a cut-off of ≥4). At the national level, the prevalence of anxiety symptoms, defined as a score of ≥10 on the GAD-7, stood at 10.9 %. This prevalence decreased to 4.2 % when considering a cut-off of ≥15. ConclusionHealth authorities of riot-affected areas ought to be aware of the population level mental health impact of the civil conflict and consider provision of targeted interventions to mitigate the long-term consequence of these lifespan disorders, while also seeking for the peaceful resolution of the ensuing conflicts.

Prevalence and severity of anxiety symptoms among family members of nyaope users in Tshwane, South Africa.

Nyaope is a strongly addictive novel psychoactive substance that is commonly used in predominantly black townships in South Africa. The undesired behaviours of the users result in family members developing mental health challenges. Nyaope users often commit petty crimes, including stealing from families and neighbours. The aim of this study was to quantify anxiety symptoms among family members of nyaope users in Tshwane, South Africa. Data were collected from nine townships within Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. The quantitative cross-sectional survey used the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) tool to quantify anxiety symptoms, and a questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data from a sample of 390 participants. The ages of the participants ranged from 18 years to 87 years, with a mean of 47 years. The mothers to the nyaope users were the biggest group at 35% (n = 138). The prevalence of anxiety symptoms was 73% (n = 286) of the total sample and ranged from mild (41.8, n = 163), moderate (14.62, n = 57) and severe (16.92%, n = 66). The Pearson chi-square test identified significant associations between anxiety symptoms and the gender of the participant (p = 0.001), the age of the nyaope user and the period of nyaope use (p = 0.008). Multivariate regression model indicated gender and place of residence as a significant variable in the development of anxiety symptoms (p = 0.01). Nyaope use is a risk factor for the development of anxiety for family members of nyaope users with the highest proportion reporting mild symptoms. There is a need to develop interventions for mental health support for families of nyaope users.

Prevalence and factors associated with general anxiety symptoms severity among older adults registered with the Primary Healthcare Corporation during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

Primary care-based studies examining the prevalence of anxiety symptoms severity and associated factors among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic are scarce. The study aims to determine the prevalence of general anxiety symptoms severity and associated sociodemographic and physical health characteristics, including SARS-CoV-2 infection history, among older adults in primary care in Qatar during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a random sample of older adults aged 60 years and above (n = 337) from all primary health care centers (n = 28) of Qatar's Primary Health Care Corporation. Participants were interviewed via telephone by family physicians between June and August 2020. General anxiety symptoms severity was assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item Scale (GAD-7). Descriptive statistics and ordinal regression were used to analyse the data. The mean age of participants was 65 years (ranging from 60 to 89 years), standard deviation = 4.8. About 49.0% and 32.0% of participants were females and of Qatari nationality, respectively. The prevalence of minimal, mild, moderate, and severe general anxiety symptoms was 82.5%, 13.9%, 3.0%, and 0.6%, respectively. Around 33.5%, 63.5%, and 3.0% of participants had unknown, negative, or positive SARS-CoV-2 infection histories, respectively. Females had greater odds of higher levels of anxiety symptoms severity (odds ratio (OR) 2.34; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22, 4.50; p = 0.011). As compared to participants with unknown SARS-CoV-2 infection status, those with a negative and positive SARS-CoV-2 infection history had increased odds of higher levels of general anxiety symptoms severity by 2.48 (95% CI 1.17, 5.24; p = 0.017) and 7.21 (95% CI 1.67, 31.25; p = 0.008), respectively. Age, marital status, living arrangements, nationality, and the number of medical conditions had no statistically significant associations with general anxiety symptoms severity. Most older adults experience minimal to mild anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Female gender and confirmed or suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection history are independent predictors of more severe anxiety symptoms among older adults.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Anxiety Symptoms among Student Nurses in Gauteng Province of South Africa.

Background: Globally, mental disorders are common among nursing students; therefore, effective prevention and early detection are urgently needed. However, the prevalence rate of anxiety symptoms has not been investigated in South African nursing colleges. Aim: The study aimed to assess the prevalence of anxiety symptoms and their sociodemographic risk factors among nursing students in Gauteng province, South Africa. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at Chris Hani Baragwanath and SG Lourens nursing colleges in the first week of June 2022. A purposeful sampling technique selected the third- and fourth-year nursing students aged ≥ 18 years registered at the two nursing colleges. The seven-item Generalised Anxiety Disorder scale was used to assess anxiety symptoms. Results: The prevalence of anxiety symptoms was 74.7% (95% confidence interval: 69.9-78.9). Being a student at nursing college B, being in the fourth academic year of study and use of substances were identified as predictors of anxiety symptoms in these nursing students. Conclusions: The prevalence of anxiety symptoms in this study is relatively high, with predictors of developing anxiety being a student at nursing college B, in the fourth academic year and current use of psychoactive substances were predictors of anxiety symptoms. These findings highlight the need to develop interventions and strategies to promote mental health assessments and management to prevent and reduce the problem of mental disorders among nursing students.