PREVALENCE AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CORRELATES OF SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER AMONG MEDICAL UNDERGRADUATES

Abstract

Background: Social anxiety disorder is a common mental health disorder characterized by persistent fear of being embarrassed, humiliated, rejected and looked down by others. It can cause impairment in education and in professional achievement, quality of life and social relationships. The objective of this study was to measure the prevalence and study associated factors of social anxiety disorder among students of a tertiary medical college and hospital. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 403 medical students of a medical college and Hospital. The questionnaire used in the study had questions related to socio-demographic details and had the social phobia inventory (SPIN) questionnaire which was used to assess social anxiety disorder. Results: Out of 403 medical students, 61.53% (n=248) students were not having any type of social anxiety disorder. Among 38.46% (n=155) of students who were having SAD, 21.33%(n=86) were having mild SAD and 17.11% (n=69) were having signicant SAD. Mild social anxiety is considered as normal. Factors such as age, year of study, self- perception of facial appearance, history of chronic illness, academic performance satisfaction and language barrier were found to be statistically associated with SAD. Conclusion: Social anxiety disorder was signicantly associated with age, year of study, self perception of facial appearance, history of chronic illness, academic performance satisfaction and language barrier.