Generalized anxiety disorders among the adult population in Basra during the COVID-19 pandemic
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Keywords
COVID-19 pandemic, generalized anxiety disorder, Basrah, Adults
Abstract
Background: Anxiety disorders encompass conditions characterized by excessive fear and anxiety, along with related behavioral disturbances. During epidemics, many individuals experience distress due to immediate health impacts and feelings of loneliness; however, others fear infection, death, or the loss of loved ones. The COVID-19 pandemic in Iraq, part of the global coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak, may have exacerbated anxiety disorders among patients and their families. Aim: This study aims to assess the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the adult population in Basra. Methods: A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted using an online survey with a questionnaire available via Google Forms. The questionnaire included socio-demographic and clinical data related to COVID-19, as well as the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale to assess anxiety severity. The survey was administered randomly to adult individuals living in Basra, and data collected from 894 participants was analyzed using 22 version of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Chi-square tests were performed to assess associations between variables. Results: Approximately 56.26% of the sample experienced varying degrees of anxiety (mild, moderate, and severe) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The highest prevalence of anxiety was observed among younger residents of Basra districts aged 18–27 years, females, married individuals, and health workers. Conclusion: The study found that 56.26% of participants suffered from varying degrees of anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic, with about 22.7% experiencing moderate to severe anxiety, indicating a need for further evaluation and management.
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