۱- Introduction

۲- Methods

۳- Results

۴- Discussion

References

Abstract

Introduction: There is scarce data available on community based prevalence of Anxiety Disorders (ADs) amongst adolescents in north Indian settings.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of anxiety disorders, and associated factors amongst adolescents in a rural community of Ballabgarh block, district Faridabad, Haryana. Methods: Participants (10–۱۹ years) were enrolled through simple random sequence from a sampling frame of adolescents residing in 28 villages of Ballabgarh block using household survey technique. They were screened using Screen for Childhood Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) tool and then subjected to confirmatory diagnosis using Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children/Adolescent (MINI KID). All adolescents with ADs were assessed for co-psychiatric morbidities using MINI-KID and functional impairment using Children Global Assessment Scale (CGAS). Prevalence and 95% Confidence intervals are reported. Additionally, socio-demographic factors were elicited using a semi-structured interview schedule and associations were determined using multivariable logistic regression analysis.
Results: A total of 678 adolescents participated in this study with mean age (SD) as 14.2 (2.5) years. The age adjusted prevalence of anxiety disorders was found to be 16.6% (95% CI: 16.0–۱۷٫۲). The most prevalent anxiety disorder among participants was social anxiety disorders followed by specific phobias. Female sex and low socioeconomic status were associated with anxiety disorders. Two third of adolescents with ADs had no functional impairment and almost one third were found to have one or more co-existing psychiatric co-morbidity.
Conclusion: We found a high prevalence of ADs in rural north Indian community settings warranting adequate health system response at primary care level.

Introduction

Adolescence, a transitional phase between childhood and adulthood, is characterized by a number of physical, psychological, personality, cognitive, and attitudinal changes. World Health Organization (WHO) defines adolescents as those aged 10–۱۹ years (WHO, 2014). As a result of improved child survival along with high fertility rate, adolescent population is increasing across the globe. Adolescent age group constitutes almost 18% of world’s population and 88% of them are living in developing countries (Anthony, 2011). In India, the estimated size of adolescent population is 253 million constituting 21% of country’s total population (Census India, 2011). Many of the common mental health problems like anxiety disorders appear during adolescence, but often go unidentified and left untreated, resulting in wide ranging sequel (Patton et al., 2014). Anxiety disorders are among the most common and functionally impairing mental health disorders to occur in adolescence (Ollendick et al., 2010). Anxiety disorders share common features, including excessive fear, avoidance of whatever is feared, and anticipation and worry when expected to encounter whatever is feared. Globally, it is estimated that almost 3.6% of the population suffer from anxiety disorders. The prevalence among adolescents is similar to the global prevalence (WHO, 2017). Nair et al.