The Prevalence of Anxiety among College of Health Science Students

This study looks at the prevalence of Anxiety among Health college students in Nigeria and also suggested waste to reduce it

1. A RESEARCH PROPOSAL ON PREVALENCE OF ANXIETY AMONG STUDENTS OF FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCE, NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, OKOFIA, NNEWI CAMPUS. PRESENTED BY NWOKWU ONYEKACHI EDMOND 2019634029 NOVEMBER, 2023

2. CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION Anxiety is one of many problems in human being. Everyone has it, because it relates to man’s physical life, Individuals face anxiety on a daily basis, which provides motivation for achievement, and is a necessary force for survival. However , if not properly controlled can lead to a disorder, which can affect one’s academics, cause restlessness, affect coordination and impair productivity. Anxiety is an emotion characterized by fear or dread for an anticipated outcome and unpredictable future.

3. BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY The reports from the Annual Healthy Minds Study which is based on web surveys taken by 96,000 U.S. students across 133 campuses in the 2021-22 academic year. It found that 37% of students reported anxiety disorders and 15% reported having seriously considered suicide in the past year—the highest recorded rates in the history of the 15-year-old survey. University students have a great deal to create anxiety, especially in study process. These are like transitions, academic pressure, and difficulty of subjects, peer pressure, identity crises, cultural shock, unmet expectations and relationship problems which increases anxiety. However, Medical education is considered to be one of the most academically and emotionally demanding training programs out of any profession and consequently, the time and emotional commitment necessary for medical students to devote to their training is extensive. Such demands and stress cause a negative effect on the students’ psychological well-being, and can precipitate anxiety ( Quek , 2019).

4. Background continued . . . The global prevalence rate of anxiety among medical students was 33.8% (95% Confidence Interval: 29.2-38.7%). About one in three medical students globally have anxiety-a prevalence rate which is substantially higher than the general population ( Quek et al, 2019). A high level of anxiety affects not only academic performance, but it can also cause many other detrimental effects such as depression, substance abuse, conduct problems and even suicide and so therefore, demands attention. Determining the prevalence of anxiety and its correlating factors among university students are essential so that appropriate intervention programs can be implemented in this population.

5. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM According to Bloom Health Centers, 2023 Anxiety is seen as the most prevalent mental health disorder on college campuses with more than 41% of American students experiencing anxiety. This number is 36% higher than the percentage for the adult population as a whole, yet college students are often pushed aside to believe that their mental health issues are not severe because they are not facing ‘real world issues.’ An estimated 4.05% of the global population has an anxiety disorder, translating to 301 million people. The number of persons affected has increased by more than 55% from 1990 to 2019. Anxiety disorder metrics show a continuous increase in prevalence, incidence, and DALY rates . Anxiety, when neglected leads to anxiety disorder, which according to multiple studies has a high prevalence in people of ages 17-38 years which are age bracket mostly found in a university setting. About one in three medical students globally have anxiety—a prevalence rate which is substantially higher than the general population ( Quek , Tam, Tran et’ al, 2019).

6. AIM OF THE STUDY The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of anxiety among Students of Faculty of Health Sciences in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, College of Health Sciences, Okofia , Otolo , Nnewi North, Anambra state. To expose the predisposing factors of anxiety in this population, discover the departments of the Faculty with highest prevalence rate of anxiety among her students, and suggest appropriate intervention that can be implemented on this population . OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY To assess the prevalence of anxiety among Students of Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology in Nnamdi Azikiwe University To identify the sources of anxiety among Students of Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology of Nnamdi Azikiwe University. To examine if there is a difference in anxiety level among students based on academic year To identify the relationship between gender and anxiety among Students.

7. RESEARCH QUESTIONS What is the prevalence of anxiety among Students of Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University. What is the sources of anxiety among Students in Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University? Is there a difference in anxiety level among students based on academic year? What is the relationship between gender and anxiety among undergraduate.

8. SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY By investigating the prevalence of anxiety among students, this study can identify the factors contributing to development of anxiety among undergraduates. The findings of this study can inform the development of interventions that are tailored to proper management of anxiety among students. Furthermore, the study can contribute to the existing literature on prevalence of anxiety, particularly students and provide insights into the effectiveness of different interventions in promoting proper management of anxiety in this population. Overall , this study can provide valuable information to healthcare professionals, policymakers, and public health advocates working towards reducing the incidence of anxiety disorder and improving students' health . Finally , this study's result will form a basis for future research work.

9. CHAPTER TWO THEORETICAL REVIEW 1 . Psychoanalytical Theory (Sigmund Freud, 1982) He viewed anxiety as the symptomatic expression of the inner emotional conflict caused when a person suppresses experiences , feelings, or impulses that are too threatening or disturbing to live with (Britannica, 2023 ). 2 . Behavioural Theory (Bandura, 1987) contend that anxiety disorders are mostly caused by conditioning, by modeling, or through experiences triggering their development, such as in specific phobias. 3. Cognitive Theory Cognitive theories are characterized by their focus on the idea that how and what people think leads to the arousal of emotions and that certain thoughts and beliefs lead to disturbed emotions and behaviors and others lead to healthy emotions and adaptive behavior

10. EMPIRICAL REVIEW A cross-sectional study was conducted at selected government and private universities throughout Malaysia. A total of 1851 students participated in this study. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaire was used to measure the prevalence risk of anxiety among the students. The prevalence risk of anxiety in this study was recorded at 29%. ( Mohamad , et al, 2020). In a study conducted in Saudi Arabia, the research showed that 53.3% of nursing students at King Khalid University had mild or moderate anxiety levels ( Bayoumi , Elbasuny , Mofereh , Assiri , & Fesal , 2012). Similarly, in a small US study of two groups, the first with 32 students and the second with 36 students, concluded that nursing students had high levels of state anxiety, per the STAI, prior to simulations and clinical experiences ( Hollenbach , 2016) After detailed review of empirical literature, there is gap on the various methods employed, which this study tends to cover.

11. CHAPTER THREE 1. Research Design : The research design to be used for this study is a descriptive cross-sectional survey design . 2. Area of Study : This study will be conducted in College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus . 3 . Target Population : The study population will consist of 2899 students drawn from the six (6) departments in the Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Health Science, Nnewi Campus. This departments includes; Nursing, Environmental Health Sciences, Radiography, Medical Laboratory, Medical Rehabilitation and Human Nutrition.

12. 4. Sample size: The sample size will be estimated using a simple random technique. According to Yamane (1967). It will be calculated as thus; Where ; = Sample size required N = Number of students in the faculty Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus e = Allowable error (0.05%) 1 = Constant Therefore; The calculated sample size for the study is 352 students.  

13. 5. Sampling Technique: Proportionate Stratified method will be used to select the study sample size . The respondents for this study will be met in the lecture halls. 6. Instrument for Data Collection: This study will makes use of a structured Questionnaire known as General Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) which was developed by Robert L. S., Janet B.W., and Kurt K. (1999 ). This will be used in this study to measure anxiety prevalence among the participants.

14. 7. Validity of Instrument: Based on validity, General Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) has a cronbach alpha reliability of 0.81; However, the instrument will be subjected to face validation and also copies of the questionnaire will be validated by the supervisor. 8. Reliability of Instrument: To ascertain the reliability, a pilot study was conducted using fifty (50) students from School Of Nursing, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi , who are not part of the study. The result showed a cronbach Alpha of 0.89, indicating that it is reliable.

15. 9. Method of Data Collection: An introductory letter will be written by the researcher The self administered method of data collection which involves the use of questionnaires to collect data from study participants will be employed. The participants will be given the questionnaire to answer on their own. 10. Method of Data Analysis: Data generated from the study will be tallied and descriptively analyzed manually. They will be presented in tables, frequency, and simple percentages .

16. 11. Ethical Consideration: A letter of Application duly signed by the Head of department Nursing science will be presented to the Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University with the research proposal to obtain permission. Anonymity and confidentiality will be ensured.

17. CONCLUSION This research is set to investigate the prevalence of anxiety among health science students using students in the Faculty of Health Science and Technology, College of Health Sciences in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus as the population of the study. Based on the questions that militated this study, the result will help identify the following; 1. The Factors that contribute to the development of anxiety among Health Science students 2. Difference in anxiety level among students based on academic year 3. The relationship between gender and anxiety among Health Science Students 4. And also suggest factors that will help agencies in the development of intervention management of anxiety among this selected population which will help improve students academic performance.

18. REFERENCES Alexander, L., Lopes, B., Ricchetti -Masterson, K., & Yeatts , K. (2015). Cross-sectional studies. ERIC Notebook, 2(6), 1-5. Álvarez , J., Aguilar, J. M., & Lorenzo, J. J. (2012). Test anxiety in university students: Relationships with personal and academic variables. Electronic Journal of Research in Educational Psychology, 10, 333–354. Bayoumi , M., Elbasuny , M., Mofereh , A., Assiri , M., & Fesal , H. (2012). Evaluating nursing students’ anxiety and depression during initial clinical experience. International Journal of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, 2(6), 277-281. Fernández -Castillo, A. & Caurcel , M. J. (2014). State test-anxiety, selective attention and concentration in university students. International Journal of Psychology, 50(4), 265- 271. doi : 10.1002/ijop.12092.

19. Hollenbach , P. M. (2016). Simulation and its effect on anxiety in baccalaureate nursing students. Nursing Education Perspectives, 37(1), 45-47. doi : 10.5480/13-1279 Mills, B., Carter, O., Rudd, C., Claxton, L., & O’Brien, R. (2016). An experimental investigation into the extent social evaluation anxiety impairs in simulation based learning environments amongst final year undergraduate nursing students. Nurse Education Today, 45, 9-15. Patterson, S. (2016). The effect of emotional freedom technique on stress and anxiety in nursing students: A pilot study. Nurse Education Today, 40, 104-110. Rathnayake , S. & Ekanayaka , J. (2016). Depression, anxiety and stress among undergraduate nursing students in a public university in Sri Lanka. International Journal of Caring Sciences, 9(3), 1020-1032. .

20. Spitzer , R.L., Kroenke , K., Williams, J.B.W., Löwe , B. (2006). A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: The GAD-7. Journal of the American Medical Association, 166(10), 1092–1097. doi:10.1001/archinte.166.10.1092 Wedgeworth , M. (2016). Anxiety and education: An examination of anxiety across a nursing program. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 6(10), 23-32.

21. THANK YOU