Prevalence and Determinants of Anxiety Disorders Among Patients with Chronic Illnesses at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja

Prevalence and Determinants of Anxiety Disorders Among Patients with Chronic Illnesses at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Prevalence and Determinants of Anxiety Disorders Among Patients with Chronic Illnesses at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja Opeyemi Adedapo Adetayo, Vivian Aderonke Adebayo, Akolo Yohanna Jaggu, and 2 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8207154/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background Anxiety disorders commonly coexist with chronic illnesses and significantly worsen clinical outcomes, treatment adherence, and quality of life. Despite this, anxiety is often underdiagnosed in medical settings. This study assessed the prevalence, determinants, and impact of anxiety disorders among patients with chronic illnesses attending the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada, Abuja. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 206 outpatients with chronic illnesses. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire incorporating the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale – Anxiety Subscale (HADS-A). Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and logistic regression were used for analysis at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results The prevalence of abnormal anxiety was 24.3%, with an additional 25.2% presenting borderline symptoms. Significant determinants of anxiety included young age (p = 0.003), female gender (p = 0.034), stigma (p < 0.001), comorbidities (p = 0.002), prior mental illness (p < 0.001), and sleep disturbance. Anxiety impaired concentration (46.1%), reduced productivity (50.0%), worsened physical symptoms (50.5%), and disrupted sleep (56.3%). More than half (54.4%) reported reduced quality of life. Conclusion Anxiety disorders are common among chronic illness patients at UATH and are influenced by demographic, psychosocial, and clinical factors. Anxiety significantly impairs functioning and disease outcomes. Anxiety disorders Chronic illness Determinants Quality of life Nigeria Introduction Anxiety is the body's natural reaction to stress, characterized by feelings of fear, worry, or unease about future events. 1 Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions globally and a major contributor to disability. The 2021 Global Burden of Disease Study estimated 359 million people living with anxiety disorders worldwide, reflecting their substantial public health significance. 2 anxiety disorders are often chronic, impairing daily functioning, increasing healthcare use, and worsening outcomes when comorbid with physical illnesses. 1 Chronic medical conditions including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, renal disease, chronic respiratory disorders, and long-term infectious diseases exert persistent psychological stress that predisposes affected individuals to anxiety. 3 A recent multi-disease international study demonstrated significantly higher rates of anxiety among individuals living with chronic illnesses across both communicable and non-communicable diseases. 4 Evidence from Nigeria similarly shows high psychiatric comorbidity among medically ill populations as seen in studies among patients with type 2 diabetes and essential hypertension reported markedly elevated anxiety symptoms compared with the general population. 5 , 6 While anxiety symptoms are common, they remain under-recognized and undertreated in many low- and middle-income countries, including Nigeria. 2 Limited mental health resources, provider knowledge gaps, and persistent stigma contribute to low detection rates. 7 The Lagos State Mental Health Survey highlights these challenges by showing a measurable burden of generalized anxiety symptoms in the community, with significant gender and socioeconomic disparities. 8 For patients with chronic illnesses, failure to identify comorbid anxiety contributes to poor disease control, reduced adherence, impaired quality of life, and increased morbidity. 9 Despite the growing recognition of mental health needs within chronic disease management, data on anxiety disorders among patients with chronic illnesses in Nigerian tertiary hospitals remain sparse, especially in north-central Nigeria. 10 Understanding the burden and determinants of anxiety in this population is essential for informing screening policies, designing integrated care pathways, and improving patient outcomes. This study therefore aims to determine the prevalence of anxiety disorders and identify associated determinants among patients with chronic illnesses receiving care at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada. The findings are intended to support evidence-based integration of mental health into chronic disease management within tertiary healthcare settings. Methods and Materials This study was carried out at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), a 520-bed tertiary facility in Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria, which serves a population of over 500,000. 11 The study population consisted of outpatients aged 18 years and above with chronic illnesses, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, hepatitis B or C, and HIV/AIDS. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. The sample size was determined using Cochran’s formula and a minimum sample size of 226 was used. A stratified sampling technique was used to ensured representation across major chronic illness categories. Patients were stratified into cardiovascular, endocrine, nephrological, neurological, pulmonological, gastroenterological, and infectious diseases, and then selected proportionately and randomly within each stratum. Data were collected using an adopted structured questionnaire comprising four sections: sociodemographic characteristics, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale–Anxiety subscale (HADS-A) and the risk factors for anxiety. The full English version of the questionnaire is provided as Appendix File 1. The tool was pretested for clarity and reliability. Data were coded and analysed using IBM SPSS version 29. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics and anxiety prevalence. Chi-square tests examined associations between anxiety and categorical variables. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 with 95% confidence intervals. Results The sociodemographic characteristics of the 206 participants show that the majority were aged 36–59 years (53.9%), while 41.7% were young adults aged 18–35, and only 4.4% were elderly (≥ 60 years). Women represented a larger proportion of the sample (58.3%) compared with men (41.7%). In terms of marital status, nearly seven in ten participants (68.4%) were married, 28.2% were single, and only 3.4% were separated or divorced. Economically, more than half of the respondents (56.3%) earned less than ₦100,000 per month, 40.3% reported incomes between ₦100,000 and ₦500,000, and a minority (3.4%) earned above ₦500,000. The distribution of clinical diagnoses among respondents showed that endocrinology cases were the most common, with 33 respondents (16.0%), followed closely by cardiovascular conditions affecting 32 respondents (15.5%). Infectious diseases and gastroenterology cases were also relatively frequent, reported by 31 respondents (15.0%) and 29 respondents (14.1%), respectively. Pulmonology diagnoses accounted for 28 respondents (13.6%), while nephrology cases were reported by 27 respondents (13.1%). Neurology had the lowest proportion, with 26 respondents (12.6%). Assessment of participants’ anxiety levels using the HADS-A scale showed that 104 respondents (50.5%) had normal anxiety scores, while 52 participants (25.2%) were classified as borderline cases. Furthermore, 50 respondents (24.3%) demonstrated abnormal anxiety levels, indicating clinically significant anxiety. Overall, nearly half of the participants (49.5%) exhibited borderline or abnormal anxiety, suggesting a considerable burden of anxiety symptoms within the study population. Table 1 Risk factors for anxiety disorders Variables Response Frequency (n)(%) Physical/Emotional Abuse Yes 33 (16.0) No 173 (84.0) Parental Separation Yes 14 (6.8) No 192 (93.2) Loss of a loved one Yes 98 (47.5) No 108 (52.4) Low self-esteem Yes 34 (16.5) No 172 (83.5) Diagnosed with any mental illness Yes 5 (2.4) No 182 (88.3) Not sure 19 (9.2) History of anxiety or other mental illness in family Yes 23 (11.2) No 164 (79.6) Not sure 19 (9.2) Having someone to talk to about worries Yes 179 (86.9) No 27 (13.1) Rating of emotional support received Excellent 56 (27.2) Good 106 (51.5) Fair 33 (16.0) Poor 11 (5.3) Stigma because of illness Yes 30 (14.6) No 176 (85.4) Additional health issues with primary illness Yes 44 (21.4) No 162 (78.6) Do you live alone Yes 34 (16.5) No 172 (83.5) Table 1 above summarizes respondents’ psychosocial and health-related factors associated with anxiety, including exposure to adverse life events, self-esteem levels, mental health history, family history of mental illness, availability and quality of social support, experiences of stigma, presence of comorbid conditions, and living arrangements. Table 2 Association between Risk Factors and Level of Anxiety Variable Normal n(%) Borderline n(%) Abnormal n(%) χ² P-value Age Young (18–35) 28.8 55.8 54.0 16.362 0.003* Middle-aged (36–59) 64.4 44.2 42.0 Elderly (60+) 6.7 0.0 4.0 Gender Female 52.9 53.8 74.0 6.74 0.034* Male 47.1 46.2 26.0 Experience of stigma Yes 5.8 9.6 38.0 29.560 0.001* No 94.2 90.4 62.0 Mental Health History Yes 0.00 1.9 8.0 25.175 0.001* No 97.1 88.5 70.0 Not sure 2.9 9.6 22.0 Family History of Mental Health Yes 10.6 9.6 14.0 7.279 0.122 No 83.7 82.7 68.0 Not sure 5.8 7.7 18.0 Comorbidities Yes 13.5 21.2 38.0 12.106 0.002* No 86.5 78.8 62.0 Living Alone Yes 11.5 19.2 24.0 4.180 0.124 No 88.5 80.8 76.0 χ² = Chi square, P-value = probability value Table 2 above shows a statistically significant associations observed for age (P = 0.003), gender (P = 0.034), experience of stigma (P = 0.001), mental health history (P = 0.001), and comorbidities (P = 0.002), indicating that these factors strongly influence anxiety levels. Variables such as family history of mental health conditions and living alone showed no statistical significance. Discussion The prevalence of abnormal anxiety (24.3%) observed in this study is consistent with global estimates demonstrating elevated anxiety among individuals with chronic medical conditions. A meta-analysis of patients with non-communicable diseases reported pooled anxiety prevalence ranging from 20% to 35%, particularly among those with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and chronic renal failure. 13 Similarly, the World Health Organization has emphasized that individuals with chronic illnesses are two to three times more likely to experience anxiety compared to the general population, due to prolonged illness burden, uncertainty about prognosis, and lifestyle restrictions. 14 Studies in the United States and Europe have reported anxiety prevalence rates among chronically ill patients ranging from 18% to 30%. 15 The similarity of this study’s prevalence to these global figures suggests that anxiety among chronically ill patients is a universal problem transcending geographic and socioeconomic boundaries, although it may be more poorly detected and managed in low-resource settings. Within Sub-Saharan Africa, comparable studies reveal similarly high rates of anxiety comorbidity among patients with chronic illnesses. Research conducted in Ethiopia among diabetic patients reported anxiety prevalence of 29.7%, 16 while studies in Ghana documented prevalence of 37.9%. 17 These studies attributed the high burden to limited access to psychological care, financial stress, disease-related stigma, and inadequate social support systems. 10 The prevalence recorded in this study aligns closely with findings from these regional studies, reinforcing that anxiety is a significant yet under-recognized complication of chronic disease across Sub-Saharan Africa. Importantly, the high proportion of borderline cases in this study (25.2%) suggests a large group at risk of progression to full anxiety disorders if early interventions are not implemented. In Nigeria, previous studies among patients with chronic illnesses have reported varying anxiety prevalence. A study among hypertensive patients in Lagos found anxiety prevalence of 23.1%, 18 while research among individuals living with diabetes in Ibadan reported rates of approximately 35.1%. 19 Similarly, studies among people living with HIV/AIDS in Northern Nigeria documented anxiety prevalence of 57.5% 20 The prevalence observed in this study is therefore consistent with other Nigerian findings and confirms that anxiety is a common comorbidity among chronically ill populations across different regions of the country. However, what distinguishes this study is its inclusion of diverse chronic illnesses within a single tertiary setting, providing a more comprehensive picture of anxiety burden in North-Central Nigeria, a region with limited published data. Younger age was significantly associated with higher anxiety levels, which is consistent with global and regional findings. Younger patients may experience heightened anxiety due to concerns about long-term productivity, family responsibilities, and future uncertainty. This pattern has been observed in studies from South Africa and Nigeria, where younger chronically ill individuals reported higher psychological distress compared to older adults who have developed adaptive coping mechanisms. 21 Female gender emerged as a significant determinant, aligning with international literature that consistently demonstrates higher anxiety prevalence among women. Biological susceptibility, hormonal influences, and sociocultural expectations particularly caregiving roles and emotional burden have been cited as contributing factors. Nigerian studies have similarly demonstrated increased anxiety among female patients with chronic illnesses, particularly those with limited financial autonomy. 22 Stigma was one of the strongest predictors of anxiety in this study, a finding that mirrors both regional and global evidence. Chronic illness-related stigma, especially in conditions such as HIV, hepatitis, and mental illness, has been linked to social isolation, low self-esteem, and decreased healthcare utilization. Studies in Kenya and Nigeria consistently show that perceived stigma significantly increases psychological distress and worsens clinical outcomes. 23 The presence of comorbidities also significantly increased anxiety risk. Patients managing multiple health conditions face cumulative stressors including polypharmacy, increased financial burden, and heightened fear of complications or mortality. This finding is supported by international studies that identify multi-morbidity as a major risk factor for poor mental health outcomes. 24 A prior history of mental illness was also significantly associated with increased anxiety, highlighting the chronic and recurrent nature of psychological disorders. This resonates with evidence from WHO mental health surveys that show individuals with previous psychiatric diagnoses are more vulnerable to anxiety during periods of physical illness. 2 The study demonstrates that anxiety substantially impaired concentration, sleep, productivity, and overall quality of life. Over half of the respondents reported reduced quality of life, confirming the detrimental functional consequences of anxiety. 24 Similar findings have been reported globally, where anxiety in chronically ill patients has been linked to reduced medication adherence, frequent hospital visits, and poor disease control. 25 In Nigeria, previous studies among diabetic and hypertensive patients have highlighted how anxiety contributes to poor self-care practices, including irregular medication use and unhealthy lifestyle behaviours. The marked disruption of sleep observed in this study further emphasizes how anxiety can create a vicious cycle, worsening both mental and physical health outcomes. 5 , 17 , 18 , 26 Conclusion This study reveals a high prevalence of anxiety among patients with chronic illnesses at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, with nearly half experiencing borderline or abnormal anxiety symptoms. Anxiety was significantly associated with younger age, female gender, stigma, prior mental health history, and comorbid conditions, and it negatively affected sleep, productivity, concentration, and overall quality of life. These findings highlight the need for routine mental health screening and integrated psychological care within chronic disease clinics. Early identification and targeted interventions will improve patient well-being, treatment adherence, and health outcomes. Declarations Ethical Approval and Accordance Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Health Research Ethics Committee. (Approval Number: FCT/UATH/HREC/1085). This study was conducted in full accordance with the guidelines, regulations, and ethical standards set forth by the ethics committee and also in accordance with the ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. Consent to Participate Written informed consent was obtained from all participants before enrolment into the study. Participation was voluntary, and confidentiality was assured. Consent to Publish Not applicable: No identifying information or images of individual participants are included in this manuscript. Funding No external funding was obtained for this manuscript Author Contribution 1. Opeyemi Adedapo Adetayo: Conceptualization, methodology and formal analysis2. Vivian Aderonke Adebayo: Supervised, intellectual content revision, evaluated the methodology and findings, and exercised critical oversight3. Akolo Yohanna Jaggu*: Data Curation, and wrote the original manuscript4. Nonye Bibiana Egenti: Supervised, contributed in organizing the study materials, supported field research, and ensured proper collection/handling of data.5. Olubunmi Iyabode Ojji: Supervised and reviewed the manuscript Data Availability The datasets generated and analysed during this study contain sensitive personal information and are therefore not publicly available in order to protect participant confidentiality. However, the identified data may be made available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request and subject to approval by the relevant ethics committee. References Anxiety Disorders - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). [Internet]. [cited 2025 Nov 25]. 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Front Psychiatry [Internet]. 2022 Jun 3 [cited 2025 Nov 25];13:873126. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9203680/ Dong D, Lou P, Wang J, Zhang P, Sun J, Chang G et al. Interaction of sleep quality and anxiety on quality of life in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Health Qual Life Outcomes [Internet]. 2020 May 24 [cited 2025 Nov 25];18(1):150. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7247196/ Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files APPENDIXIQuestionnaire.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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07:33:50","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":3826263,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8207154/v1/51714be5-037e-4ba2-9791-003bdb12fa1c.pdf"},{"id":100858100,"identity":"5d38dab0-920d-4487-b313-a2442bd5c066","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-01-22 07:23:51","extension":"docx","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":15792,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"APPENDIXIQuestionnaire.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8207154/v1/8249f40adfe7fc269d52e7ab.docx"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Prevalence and Determinants of Anxiety Disorders Among Patients with Chronic Illnesses at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eAnxiety is the body's natural reaction to stress, characterized by feelings of fear, worry, or unease about future events.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions globally and a major contributor to disability. The 2021 Global Burden of Disease Study estimated 359\u0026nbsp;million people living with anxiety disorders worldwide, reflecting their substantial public health significance.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e anxiety disorders are often chronic, impairing daily functioning, increasing healthcare use, and worsening outcomes when comorbid with physical illnesses.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChronic medical conditions including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, renal disease, chronic respiratory disorders, and long-term infectious diseases exert persistent psychological stress that predisposes affected individuals to anxiety.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e A recent multi-disease international study demonstrated significantly higher rates of anxiety among individuals living with chronic illnesses across both communicable and non-communicable diseases.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e Evidence from Nigeria similarly shows high psychiatric comorbidity among medically ill populations as seen in studies among patients with type 2 diabetes and essential hypertension reported markedly elevated anxiety symptoms compared with the general population.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhile anxiety symptoms are common, they remain under-recognized and undertreated in many low- and middle-income countries, including Nigeria.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e Limited mental health resources, provider knowledge gaps, and persistent stigma contribute to low detection rates.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e The Lagos State Mental Health Survey highlights these challenges by showing a measurable burden of generalized anxiety symptoms in the community, with significant gender and socioeconomic disparities.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e For patients with chronic illnesses, failure to identify comorbid anxiety contributes to poor disease control, reduced adherence, impaired quality of life, and increased morbidity.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDespite the growing recognition of mental health needs within chronic disease management, data on anxiety disorders among patients with chronic illnesses in Nigerian tertiary hospitals remain sparse, especially in north-central Nigeria.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e Understanding the burden and determinants of anxiety in this population is essential for informing screening policies, designing integrated care pathways, and improving patient outcomes.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study therefore aims to determine the prevalence of anxiety disorders and identify associated determinants among patients with chronic illnesses receiving care at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada. The findings are intended to support evidence-based integration of mental health into chronic disease management within tertiary healthcare settings.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methods and Materials","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study was carried out at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), a 520-bed tertiary facility in Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria, which serves a population of over 500,000.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e The study population consisted of outpatients aged 18 years and above with chronic illnesses, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, hepatitis B or C, and HIV/AIDS.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA descriptive cross-sectional design was used. The sample size was determined using Cochran\u0026rsquo;s formula and a minimum sample size of 226 was used.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA stratified sampling technique was used to ensured representation across major chronic illness categories. Patients were stratified into cardiovascular, endocrine, nephrological, neurological, pulmonological, gastroenterological, and infectious diseases, and then selected proportionately and randomly within each stratum.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eData were collected using an adopted structured questionnaire comprising four sections: sociodemographic characteristics, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale\u0026ndash;Anxiety subscale (HADS-A) and the risk factors for anxiety. The full English version of the questionnaire is provided as Appendix File 1. The tool was pretested for clarity and reliability.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eData were coded and analysed using IBM SPSS version 29. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics and anxiety prevalence. Chi-square tests examined associations between anxiety and categorical variables. Statistical significance was set at p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05 with 95% confidence intervals.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe sociodemographic characteristics of the 206 participants show that the majority were aged 36\u0026ndash;59 years (53.9%), while 41.7% were young adults aged 18\u0026ndash;35, and only 4.4% were elderly (\u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;60 years). Women represented a larger proportion of the sample (58.3%) compared with men (41.7%). In terms of marital status, nearly seven in ten participants (68.4%) were married, 28.2% were single, and only 3.4% were separated or divorced. Economically, more than half of the respondents (56.3%) earned less than ₦100,000 per month, 40.3% reported incomes between ₦100,000 and ₦500,000, and a minority (3.4%) earned above ₦500,000.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe distribution of clinical diagnoses among respondents showed that endocrinology cases were the most common, with 33 respondents (16.0%), followed closely by cardiovascular conditions affecting 32 respondents (15.5%). Infectious diseases and gastroenterology cases were also relatively frequent, reported by 31 respondents (15.0%) and 29 respondents (14.1%), respectively. Pulmonology diagnoses accounted for 28 respondents (13.6%), while nephrology cases were reported by 27 respondents (13.1%). Neurology had the lowest proportion, with 26 respondents (12.6%).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAssessment of participants\u0026rsquo; anxiety levels using the HADS-A scale showed that 104 respondents (50.5%) had normal anxiety scores, while 52 participants (25.2%) were classified as borderline cases. Furthermore, 50 respondents (24.3%) demonstrated abnormal anxiety levels, indicating clinically significant anxiety. Overall, nearly half of the participants (49.5%) exhibited borderline or abnormal anxiety, suggesting a considerable burden of anxiety symptoms within the study population.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRisk factors for anxiety disorders\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"3\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariables\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eResponse\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrequency (n)(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhysical/Emotional Abuse\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33 (16.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e173 (84.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eParental Separation\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14 (6.8)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e192 (93.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLoss of a loved one\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e98 (47.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e108 (52.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLow self-esteem\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34 (16.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e172 (83.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDiagnosed with any mental illness\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5 (2.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e182 (88.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNot sure\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19 (9.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHistory of anxiety or other mental illness in family\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23 (11.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e164 (79.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNot sure\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19 (9.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHaving someone to talk to about worries\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e179 (86.9)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27 (13.1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRating of emotional support received\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eExcellent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56 (27.2)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGood\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e106 (51.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFair\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33 (16.0)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePoor\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11 (5.3)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStigma because of illness\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30 (14.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e176 (85.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdditional health issues with primary illness\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44 (21.4)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e162 (78.6)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDo you live alone\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34 (16.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e172 (83.5)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e above summarizes respondents\u0026rsquo; psychosocial and health-related factors associated with anxiety, including exposure to adverse life events, self-esteem levels, mental health history, family history of mental illness, availability and quality of social support, experiences of stigma, presence of comorbid conditions, and living arrangements.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAssociation between Risk Factors and Level of Anxiety\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"8\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNormal n(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBorderline n(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbnormal n(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eχ\u0026sup2;\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eP-value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAge\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYoung (18\u0026ndash;35)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e55.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e54.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.362\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.003*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMiddle-aged (36\u0026ndash;59)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eElderly (60+)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGender\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e52.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e53.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e74.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.74\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.034*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eExperience of stigma\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.560\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.001*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e94.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e90.4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e62.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMental Health History\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.175\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.001*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e97.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e88.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNot sure\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c2\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFamily History of Mental Health\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.279\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.122\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e83.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e82.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e68.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNot sure\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eComorbidities\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e38.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.106\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.002*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e86.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e78.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e62.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLiving Alone\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.180\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.124\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\" nameend=\"c4\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e88.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e76.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"8\"\u003eχ\u0026sup2; = Chi square, P-value\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;probability value\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e above shows a statistically significant associations observed for age (P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.003), gender (P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.034), experience of stigma (P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.001), mental health history (P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.001), and comorbidities (P\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.002), indicating that these factors strongly influence anxiety levels. Variables such as family history of mental health conditions and living alone showed no statistical significance.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe prevalence of abnormal anxiety (24.3%) observed in this study is consistent with global estimates demonstrating elevated anxiety among individuals with chronic medical conditions. A meta-analysis of patients with non-communicable diseases reported pooled anxiety prevalence ranging from 20% to 35%, particularly among those with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and chronic renal failure.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e Similarly, the World Health Organization has emphasized that individuals with chronic illnesses are two to three times more likely to experience anxiety compared to the general population, due to prolonged illness burden, uncertainty about prognosis, and lifestyle restrictions.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e Studies in the United States and Europe have reported anxiety prevalence rates among chronically ill patients ranging from 18% to 30%.\u003csup\u003e15\u003c/sup\u003e The similarity of this study\u0026rsquo;s prevalence to these global figures suggests that anxiety among chronically ill patients is a universal problem transcending geographic and socioeconomic boundaries, although it may be more poorly detected and managed in low-resource settings.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWithin Sub-Saharan Africa, comparable studies reveal similarly high rates of anxiety comorbidity among patients with chronic illnesses. Research conducted in Ethiopia among diabetic patients reported anxiety prevalence of 29.7%,\u003csup\u003e16\u003c/sup\u003e while studies in Ghana documented prevalence of 37.9%.\u003csup\u003e17\u003c/sup\u003e These studies attributed the high burden to limited access to psychological care, financial stress, disease-related stigma, and inadequate social support systems.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e The prevalence recorded in this study aligns closely with findings from these regional studies, reinforcing that anxiety is a significant yet under-recognized complication of chronic disease across Sub-Saharan Africa. Importantly, the high proportion of borderline cases in this study (25.2%) suggests a large group at risk of progression to full anxiety disorders if early interventions are not implemented.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn Nigeria, previous studies among patients with chronic illnesses have reported varying anxiety prevalence. A study among hypertensive patients in Lagos found anxiety prevalence of 23.1%,\u003csup\u003e18\u003c/sup\u003e while research among individuals living with diabetes in Ibadan reported rates of approximately 35.1%.\u003csup\u003e19\u003c/sup\u003e Similarly, studies among people living with HIV/AIDS in Northern Nigeria documented anxiety prevalence of 57.5%\u003csup\u003e20\u003c/sup\u003e The prevalence observed in this study is therefore consistent with other Nigerian findings and confirms that anxiety is a common comorbidity among chronically ill populations across different regions of the country. However, what distinguishes this study is its inclusion of diverse chronic illnesses within a single tertiary setting, providing a more comprehensive picture of anxiety burden in North-Central Nigeria, a region with limited published data.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eYounger age was significantly associated with higher anxiety levels, which is consistent with global and regional findings. Younger patients may experience heightened anxiety due to concerns about long-term productivity, family responsibilities, and future uncertainty. This pattern has been observed in studies from South Africa and Nigeria, where younger chronically ill individuals reported higher psychological distress compared to older adults who have developed adaptive coping mechanisms.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e Female gender emerged as a significant determinant, aligning with international literature that consistently demonstrates higher anxiety prevalence among women. Biological susceptibility, hormonal influences, and sociocultural expectations particularly caregiving roles and emotional burden have been cited as contributing factors. Nigerian studies have similarly demonstrated increased anxiety among female patients with chronic illnesses, particularly those with limited financial autonomy.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e Stigma was one of the strongest predictors of anxiety in this study, a finding that mirrors both regional and global evidence. Chronic illness-related stigma, especially in conditions such as HIV, hepatitis, and mental illness, has been linked to social isolation, low self-esteem, and decreased healthcare utilization. Studies in Kenya and Nigeria consistently show that perceived stigma significantly increases psychological distress and worsens clinical outcomes.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003eThe presence of comorbidities also significantly increased anxiety risk. Patients managing multiple health conditions face cumulative stressors including polypharmacy, increased financial burden, and heightened fear of complications or mortality. This finding is supported by international studies that identify multi-morbidity as a major risk factor for poor mental health outcomes.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003eA prior history of mental illness was also significantly associated with increased anxiety, highlighting the chronic and recurrent nature of psychological disorders. This resonates with evidence from WHO mental health surveys that show individuals with previous psychiatric diagnoses are more vulnerable to anxiety during periods of physical illness.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study demonstrates that anxiety substantially impaired concentration, sleep, productivity, and overall quality of life. Over half of the respondents reported reduced quality of life, confirming the detrimental functional consequences of anxiety.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e Similar findings have been reported globally, where anxiety in chronically ill patients has been linked to reduced medication adherence, frequent hospital visits, and poor disease control.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn Nigeria, previous studies among diabetic and hypertensive patients have highlighted how anxiety contributes to poor self-care practices, including irregular medication use and unhealthy lifestyle behaviours. The marked disruption of sleep observed in this study further emphasizes how anxiety can create a vicious cycle, worsening both mental and physical health outcomes.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study reveals a high prevalence of anxiety among patients with chronic illnesses at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, with nearly half experiencing borderline or abnormal anxiety symptoms. Anxiety was significantly associated with younger age, female gender, stigma, prior mental health history, and comorbid conditions, and it negatively affected sleep, productivity, concentration, and overall quality of life.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThese findings highlight the need for routine mental health screening and integrated psychological care within chronic disease clinics. Early identification and targeted interventions will improve patient well-being, treatment adherence, and health outcomes.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":" \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eEthical Approval \u003cb\u003eand Accordance\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eEthical approval\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003e for this study was obtained from the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Health Research Ethics Committee. (Approval Number: FCT/UATH/HREC/1085). This study was conducted in full accordance with the guidelines, regulations, and ethical standards set forth by the ethics committee and also in accordance with the ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eConsent to Participate\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003e Written informed consent was obtained from all participants before enrolment into the study. Participation was voluntary, and confidentiality was assured.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eConsent to Publish\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003eNot applicable: No identifying information or images of individual participants are included in this manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFunding\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo external funding was obtained for this manuscript\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAuthor Contribution\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e1. Opeyemi Adedapo Adetayo: Conceptualization, methodology and formal analysis2. Vivian Aderonke Adebayo: Supervised, intellectual content revision, evaluated the methodology and findings, and exercised critical oversight3. Akolo Yohanna Jaggu*: Data Curation, and wrote the original manuscript4. Nonye Bibiana Egenti: Supervised, contributed in organizing the study materials, supported field research, and ensured proper collection/handling of data.5. Olubunmi Iyabode Ojji: Supervised and reviewed the manuscript\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eData Availability\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe datasets generated and analysed during this study contain sensitive personal information and are therefore not publicly available in order to protect participant confidentiality. However, the identified data may be made available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request and subject to approval by the relevant ethics committee.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnxiety Disorders - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). [Internet]. [cited 2025 Nov 25]. Available from: \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders\" targettype=\"URL\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlonso J, Liu Z, Evans-Lacko S, Sadikova E, Sampson N, Chatterji S, et al. Treatment gap for anxiety disorders is global: Results of the World Mental Health Surveys in 21 countries. 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Available from: \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7247196/\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7247196/\" targettype=\"URL\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":true,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Anxiety disorders, Chronic illness, Determinants, Quality of life, Nigeria","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8207154/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8207154/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003eBackground\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnxiety disorders commonly coexist with chronic illnesses and significantly worsen clinical outcomes, treatment adherence, and quality of life. Despite this, anxiety is often underdiagnosed in medical settings. This study assessed the prevalence, determinants, and impact of anxiety disorders among patients with chronic illnesses attending the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada, Abuja.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMethods\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 206 outpatients with chronic illnesses. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire incorporating the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale \u0026ndash; Anxiety Subscale (HADS-A). Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and logistic regression were used for analysis at a significance level of p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe prevalence of abnormal anxiety was 24.3%, with an additional 25.2% presenting borderline symptoms. Significant determinants of anxiety included young age (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.003), female gender (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.034), stigma (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001), comorbidities (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.002), prior mental illness (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.001), and sleep disturbance. Anxiety impaired concentration (46.1%), reduced productivity (50.0%), worsened physical symptoms (50.5%), and disrupted sleep (56.3%). More than half (54.4%) reported reduced quality of life.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConclusion\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnxiety disorders are common among chronic illness patients at UATH and are influenced by demographic, psychosocial, and clinical factors. Anxiety significantly impairs functioning and disease outcomes.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Prevalence and Determinants of Anxiety Disorders Among Patients with Chronic Illnesses at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Abuja","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-01-21 16:45:22","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8207154/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"fab20134-510f-4edb-b044-e3ed7e427371","owner":[],"postedDate":"January 21st, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-01-21T16:45:22+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-01-21 16:45:22","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-8207154","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-8207154","identity":"rs-8207154","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}