ANXIETY SYMPTOMS AND PERSONAL PROFILE AMONG PRIMARY HEALTHCARE CLIENTS IN DUBAI, UAE 2014

Background: Anxiety symptoms mong clients of primary health care can be a serious problem specially when associated with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). The co-existence of Anxiety symptoms with various NCDs has important implications in terms of quality of life, general well-being and cost of treatment and general longevity of the patient.

Objectives: To study the prevalence of anxiety symptoms and personal characteristics among clients attending PHC facilities at Dubai Health authority, Dubai, UAE.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study has been carried out among randomly selected sample of 306 out-patients, both males (76) and females (222), and from adolescents, adults and elderly age groups. They are clients attending primary health care facilities at Dubai health authority in Dubai for the year 2014 for several purposes. Sample size was estimated using Epi–info software and selected by multistage stratified random technique with proportional allocations from different primary health care center both in Diera and Bur Dubai sides. Interview administered questionnaire has been used for data collection (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales “DASS 21”). Data was analyzed using SPSS 21.

Results: As reflected by the study, mild anxiety was 16.0%, moderate anxiety was 13.4% and severe anxiety was 12.7%. Anxiety prevalence was 66% among adolescents, 60% among adults, and 50% among the elderly. Anxiety among female population in the study was 63.3% and among male was 60.5%. 65.9% of Emirati participants and 50.7% of other nationalities showed anxiety symptoms. The highest rate of anxiety was among those with essential education 75% followed by university Education 62.8%. It was more among clerks and retired occupational groups 78.9% and 69.6. As for income, prevalence of anxiety was more among higher income population than lower.

Conclusion: Anxiety symptoms are significantly high. Some socio-demographic factors were shown to be playing significant role such as gender and nationality. Anxiety intervention program targeting clients of primary health cae needs to be developed to prevent two direction negative impacts and improve quality of life and over all life expectances.