Prevalence of Generalised Anxiety Disorders Among Clinical Training Students at the University of Sharjah

Michael Otim,1,2 Amina M Al Marzouqi,1 Muhammad Subu,1 Naamat Damaj,1 Sara Al-Harbawi1 1College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates; 2Academic Research and Consultancy Directorate, Nexus International University, Kampala, UgandaCorrespondence: Michael OtimCollege of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, PO Box 27272, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesEmail motim@sharjah.ac.aeIntroduction: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anxiety among clinical training students. Despite the existence of interventions that address anxieties, lack of data on the size of the problem, especially in the Middle East where mental health stigmatized, means that outcomesmay not be maximized.Materials and Methods: Our study was cross-sectional survey of the University of Sharjah (UOS), the United Arab Emirates students undergoing clinical training in health sciences. The participants were selected from all the three UOS campuses: medical and science colleges; women’s colleges; and men’s colleges. A sample of 219 clinical training students were randomly sent an electronic link to participate on an online survey. The study received ethical approval from the UOS Research Ethics Committee number is REC-20-03-04-02-S.Results: The mean score for state anxiety was 47.24± 1.31 and the mean score for trait anxiety was 46.82± 1.21. These scores indicated a high level of anxiety among students undertaking clinical training. Overall, 63% of the sample were classified as having high state anxiety, and 62% had high trait anxiety.Conclusion: This study shows clinical training students experience high levels of state and trait anxiety. It is necessary to address this issue to improve the conditions and circumstances for students entering clinical training. It may also be necessary to implement strategies to enable students with anxiety to perform well in clinical training.Keywords: anxiety, clinical students, clinical practice, mental health, STA