Abstract
IntroductionQatar is a small but high-income Middle Eastern country with a large influx of migrants each year. However, the impact of changing population structure and urbanization on prevalence of generalized anxiety symptoms remains unexplored to date. Materials & MethodsA total of 2,640 participants interviewed by phone using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2). Bivariate and multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore the associations of ethnicity (Arab versus Non-Arab) with severity and symptom profile of GAD and overlap with depressive symptoms. ResultsThe point prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe symptoms were 13.4% (95% CI: 11.9 – 15.0), 2.7% (95% CI: 2.0 – 3.5), and 0.9% (95% CI: 0.6– 1.4), respectively. Arab ethnicity was associated with mild GAD (OR=1.78, p=0.009) and moderate-to-severe GAD (OR=2.36, p=0.044). Relative to non-migrants, migrant types were not significantly associated with mild or with moderate-to- severe GAD. Interactions between depressive symptoms and ethnicity were evident and statistically significant for the association with mild GAD versus no GAD (OR=0.34, p=0.003). ConclusionsEthnicity moderated the association of depression symptoms and GAD severity, with potential implications for early screening and community intervention.
Perspectives of Healthcare Professionals Toward Interprofessional Collaboration in Primary Care Settings in a Middle Eastern Country
