title: Prevalence of anxiety among women attending a primary care clinic in Malaysia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This is the first study investigating anxiety among women attending a primary care clinic in Malaysia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective was to determine the factors associated with anxiety among these women.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study was conducted in a government-funded primary care clinic in Malaysia. Consecutive female patients attending the clinic during the data-collection period were invited to participate in the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were given self-administered questionnaires, which included the validated Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire (GAD-7) Malay version to detect anxiety.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 1023 patients who were invited, 895 agreed to participate (response rate 87.5%). The prevalence of anxiety in this study was 7.8%, based on the GAD-7 (score ≥8). Multiple logistic regression analysis found that certain stressful life events and the emotional aspect of domestic violence were significantly associated with anxiety (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of anxiety among women in this study is similar to that found in other countries. Factors found to be associated with anxiety, especially issues on domestic violence, need to be addressed and managed appropriately.
authors.affiliation: Department of Society, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia. sherina@putra.upm.edu.my
authors.forename: Sherina Mohd
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Sidik
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Arroll
authors.forename: Felicity
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Goodyear-Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult