Generalized Anxiety Disorder in University of Technology Undergraduate Students during COVID-19 Pandemic, Iraq

Background: Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak in December 2019, the quarantine measures taken, including closing the markets, taking long leave from work, closing worship places, social distancing, and even affecting education by closing schools and universities, quarantine, self-isolation, and sudden fear of death, have increased the level of anxiety in general, and on students in particular. Objectives: To find out the prevalence of anxiety among undergraduate students at Technology University during COVID-19, to find out whether COVID-19 affected the student’s performance, and to find the association between anxiety and certain demographic characteristics during the outbreak. Method & Cases: A cross-sectional study with analysis elements, was conducted from 1 February to 1 July 2022 by collecting online questionnaire answers from students from Technology University. Results: There were 703 responses received, and more than half of the participants had received psychological support 385 (54.76%). The total GAD-7 screening tool was mild anxiety 140 (19.9%), moderate anxiety 317 (45.1%), moderate-severe anxiety 171 (24.3%), and only severe anxiety found in 75 (10.7%). This study found a significant association between participants’ anxiety level with their sex, COVID-19 infection, presence of chronic disease, complicated participants’ lives, increase financial needs, taking long leave, isolation from people, and impact on their performance. Conclusion: Although undergraduate students’ anxiety levels rose as a result of COVID-19, the outbreak had no negative effects on their academic performance. This study found a significant association between participants’ anxiety levels and some demographics, their plans, and the impact on their performance.