Prevalence and Associated Factors of Generalized Anxiety Disorder Among Physicians, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Background: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is one of the most common mental disorders in primary care settings and is associated with increased use of health services. Patients with GAD demonstrate a considerable degree of impairment and disability, even in its pure form, uncomplicated by depression or other mental disorders. Objectives: To explore the magnitude of the problem of anxiety disorders among physicians working in general governmental hospitals in Jeddah and its determinants. Subjects and Methods: Across sectional study was carried out in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia. A representative sample of physicians working in general governmental hospitals in Jeddah were included. A Self administration questionnaire was used for data collection. It contains participants' personal characteristics, questions about factors that may determine the development of GAD and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale to diagnose GAD. Results: The study included 151 physicians. Males represent 64.9% of them and 40.4% aged between 25 and 29 years. Majority of them (80.8%) were Saudis. Mild anxiety disorder was observed among 31.8% of the physicians whereas each of moderate and severity forms was reported among 16.6% of them. Moderate and severe anxieties were more reported among young physicians (30-34 years) compared to old physicians (40 years) (25% and 15.9% compared to zero). The difference was statistically significant, p=0.022. Saudi physicians reported higher rate of moderate and severe anxiety than non-Saudi physicians (18.9% and 12.3% versus 6.9% and 3.4%). The difference, p = 0.05. Severe GAD was reported among 33.3% of physicians with history of sexual abuse, 37.5% of those with history of early separation from parents and 42.9% of those with history of childhood school difficulty compared to 5.1% of those without such histories. The difference was significant=0.019. Physicians who had history of mental disorders reported higher significant rate of severe anxiety compared to those without such history (28.9% versus 6.8%, p<0.001). Physicians who had stressful life reported higher significant rate of severe anxiety. Conclusion: Physicians working at primary health care centers in Jeddah showed significant rate of generalized anxiety disorders particularly younger and Saudi physicians.