Assessment of Anxiety Disorder and Burden of Disease Among Diabetic Patients in Selected Public Hospital Outpatient Clinics in Kajiado North Sub County

Abstract

Diabetes is a significant public health concern in Kenya, with a reported prevalence in low-income urban communities of 4.1–5.3% of individuals and 43.7% of cases remaining undiagnosed. The psychological impact of this chronic condition, particularly anxiety disorders, is often overlooked in diabetes management. This study aimed to assess anxiety disorders and the burden of disease among diabetic patients in selected public hospital outpatient clinics in Kajiado North Sub County, Kenya. The research sought to determine the prevalence of anxiety disorders, identify their relationship with sociodemographic characteristics, assess the burden of anxiety disorders, and analyze coping strategies among diabetic patients. Grounded in the Transactional Theory of Stress and Coping and Social Cognitive Theory, the study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design, utilizing purposive sampling to collect data from 333 diabetic patients across two public hospitals. Data was collected using the Beck Anxiety Inventory, Disease Burden Morbidity Assessment, and Brief Cope Inventory, and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study found a high prevalence of anxiety disorders, with 60.4% of respondents experiencing moderate anxiety symptoms and 9.8% reporting severe anxiety. Significant associations were identified between anxiety disorder prevalence and various sociodemographic characteristics. The burden of anxiety disorder was moderate (mean score 2.05 on a 4-point scale), with the highest impact on emotional well-being. Religious practices and social support emerged as primary coping strategies. The study recommends implementing routine anxiety screening in diabetes care, developing targeted interventions based on sociodemographic characteristics, and establishing comprehensive support programs that address both physical and emotional aspects of diabetes management.