Prevalence of generalized anxeity disorders and its risk factors in a sample of schools and universities students [age 12-21 years]

ABSTRACT

This study determined the prevalence rate of generalized anxiety disorder [GAD] in a sample of Egyptian schools and university students and the risk factor related to this disorder. A random sample of 1200 students was screened using general health questionnaire [GHQ] and anxiety scale in the first stage, followed by semi-structured clinical interview according to DSM IV criteria to those patients scoring above 7 degrees in GHQ and 56 degrees in anxiety scale. The study revealed that the prevalence of GAD was 2.35% and the most important related risk factors were neurotic traits in childhood [15%], big family size [>5 members in the family] [12.1%] and parental separation or divorce [10%]