ABSTRACT
Background: Social anxiety disorder is a common mental health disorder characterized by persistent fear of being embarrassed, humiliated, rejected and looked down by others. It can cause impairment in education and in professional achievement, quality of life and social relationships. The objective of this study was to measure the prevalence and study associated factors of social anxiety disorder among students of a tertiary medical college and hospital. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 403 medical students of a medical college and Hospital. The questionnaire used in the study had questions related to socio-demographic details and had the social phobia inventory (SPIN) questionnaire which was used to assess social anxiety disorder. Results: Out of 403 medical students, 61.53% (n=248) students were not having any type of social anxiety disorder. Among 38.46% (n=155) of students who were having SAD, 21.33%(n=86) were having mild SAD and 17.11% (n=69) were having signi?cant SAD. Mild social anxiety is considered as normal. Factors such as age, year of study, self- perception of facial appearance, history of chronic illness, academic performance satisfaction and language barrier were found to be statistically associated with SAD. Conclusion: Social anxiety disorder was signi?cantly associated with age, year of study, self perception of facial appearance, history of chronic illness, academic performance satisfaction and language barrier.
ABSTRACT
Background: Social anxiety disorder is a common psychiatric illness characterized by fear of being observed and scrutinized by others. It can impair academic performance and can lead to serious withdrawal from society and depression. The objective of the study was to measure the proportion and study the associated factors of Social Anxiety Disorder among students of a tertiary medical college and hospital.Methods: This hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among the 272 medical students of a Tertiary care medical college and hospital at Davangere, Karnataka from October to December 2018. The social phobia inventory (SPIN) questionnaire was used to diagnose SAD among students.Results: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) was present among 30.5% (n=83) of the medical students. The female students (31.1%, n=45) documented a higher proportion of SAD compared to male students (29.9%, n=38). There was a higher incidence among above the 20 years age group and Muslims especially girl students.Conclusions: A higher proportion of medical students had social anxiety disorder which was influenced by increasing age, female gender, Muslim religion and higher academic years of exposure till final year.