Prevalence and associated factors of anxiety disorders among secondary school-going adolescents in Mbarara City, Uganda: a cross-sectional study.

Authors

  • Charity Ikiriza Counseling Psychology, Bishop Stuart University, Uganda
  • Dr. Anne Tweheyo Otwine Counseling Psychology, Bishop Stuart University, Uganda

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/e1er5t63

Keywords:

Social anxiety disorder, Adolescents, School-going adolescents, Mental health, Psychosocial wellbeing, Mbarara City, Uganda

Abstract

Background:

 Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a common mental health condition that can interfere with adolescents’ social functioning, academic participation, and overall well-being. However, evidence on the burden and factors associated with SAD among school-going adolescents in Uganda remains limited. This study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with SAD among secondary school-going adolescents in Mbarara City.

 Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 380 secondary school-going adolescents in selected schools in Mbarara City. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing socio-demographic characteristics, psychosocial factors, and symptoms of anxiety disorders. Data were analyzed using Stata version 19. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics and the prevalence of SAD, while cross-tabulations and tests of association were used to assess factors associated with SAD. Statistical significance was considered at a 5% level.

 Results:

 Among the 380 adolescents enrolled, 266 (70.0%) reported SAD. SAD was significantly associated with sex (p<0.001), school type (p=0.003), academic pressure (p=0.006), bullying (p=0.024), reported mental health conditions (p=0.030), neighborhood safety (p<0.001), and awareness of mental health programmes (p=0.037). SAD was more prevalent among adolescents reporting academic pressure, bullying, mental health conditions, and unsafe neighborhoods, as well as those attending public schools.

 Conclusion:

SAD represents an important mental health concern among school-going adolescents in Mbarara City. School-based screening, counselling, bullying prevention, and supportive learning environments may facilitate early identification and support.

 Recommendations:

Schools and health providers should strengthen age-appropriate mental health education and ensure that adolescents receive clear information on available mental health programmes and where to seek support. Awareness activities should be accompanied by accessible counselling, screening, and referral services delivered through confidential, adolescent-friendly channels to promote early help-seeking.

Author Biographies

  • Charity Ikiriza, Counseling Psychology, Bishop Stuart University, Uganda

    is a Principal Investigator in this study and a student of Counseling Psychology at Bishop Stuart University, Uganda. Her research interests include adolescent mental health, psychological well-being, and anxiety disorders, with particular interest in psychosocial factors affecting adolescents in school settings. She has an interest in generating evidence to inform mental health promotion and appropriate psychological support for adolescents.

  • Dr. Anne Tweheyo Otwine, Counseling Psychology, Bishop Stuart University, Uganda

    is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Public Health and Biomedical Sciences and Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Bishop Stuart University, Uganda. She is a Counseling Psychology scholar with interests in mental health, counseling, adolescent well-being, research supervision, mentorship, and academic leadership. She has experience in teaching, research supervision, and supporting research activities within the health sciences.

References

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Published

2026-09-13

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 3 (2026): September 2026 issue

Section

Section of Mental Health and Psychiatry

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Charity Ikiriza, Dr. Anne Tweheyo Otwine

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Ikiriza, C., & Anne. (2026). Prevalence and associated factors of anxiety disorders among secondary school-going adolescents in Mbarara City, Uganda: a cross-sectional study. Student’s Journal of Health Research Africa, 7(3). https://doi.org/10.51168/e1er5t63

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