Prevalence of Anxiety Related Disorders among Girls’ Secondary School Students in Selected Public Schools in Dagoretti North Sub County, Kenya
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of anxiety related disorders among girls’ secondary school students in selected public schools in Dagoretti North sub County, Kenya. Descriptive research design was used. The target population was 1,260 girls studying in the girls’ schools in the Sub County aged between 13-18 years. A sample of 200 participants was selected using simple random sampling technique. The study found that the prevalence of anxiety related disorders in the study were: panic disorder (84%), separation anxiety disorder (82%), GAD (41.5%), social anxiety disorder (35%), and school avoidance (56%). Further, the study found out that the prevalence of moderate depression and low self-esteem among the secondary school students was 11% and 14% respectively though the levels of panic, GAD, separation anxiety, social anxiety and school avoidance were all statistically significant (p<0.05) within the sampled population. The study concluded that though anxiety is a common mental disorder among adolescents, the high prevalence especially among girls is a pointer to a critical gap that needs to be addressed. The study recommended that secondary school students need a professional support to deal with their psychological challenges.
Keywords: Prevalence, Anxiety Related Disorders, Girls’ Secondary School Students
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