Frequency of Generalized Anxiety Disorder in the Population of East Azerbaijan Province and Its Association with Demographic Factors

Background: Over the past two decades, it has been demonstrated that anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders in the general population worldwide. This study aimed to provide a prevalence of how generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) within the population of East Azerbaijan province. The results of this research can contribute to improving the availability and quality of mental health care. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to November 2018, involving 150 clusters of 10 households each, totaling 1500 households from Tabriz, Marand, Bonab, Osku, Varzeqan, and Khoda Afarin. A general questionnaire was utilized to assess key risk factors, including age, gender, marital status, education level, and employment status of the participants. The GAD-7 questionnaire was used to evaluate symptoms of GAD. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (v 18; SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL). A chi-square test with a 95% confidence interval was applied, and P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 2816 people participated in this study. Approximately 40% of the surveyed individuals exhibited different levels of anxiety. The overall prevalence of generalized anxiety in Tabriz and surrounding cities was 39.8%. Tabriz exhibited a notably higher prevalence of generalized anxiety compared to other cities in the province (43.2% in Tabriz vs 36.8% in other cities, P=0.04). The prevalence of generalized anxiety was found to be remarkably (P<0.05) higher in women (46.6% in women vs. 32.4% in men). As individuals age, the occurrence of generalized anxiety tends to rise, peaking at the age of 55, after which it gradually decreases. However, the age group of 45-55 years exhibited the highest rates of generalized anxiety (43% in the 45-55 age group). The GAD levels did not show any significant variation in marital status (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that being urban-dwelling, female, and aged 45-55 are significant factors affecting the prevalence of anxiety disorders. These findings highlight the need for targeted mental health interventions for at-risk groups.