The silent struggle: assessing anxiety prevalence in Marrakech’s hypertensive population

Abstract Background Anxiety is a disorder that may negatively impact the quality of life for people with hypertension. In Marrakech, epidemiological data on anxiety in hypertension patients are scarce, preventing holistic treatment for hypertensive patients and favoring the development of comorbidit...

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Main Authors: Fatima Zahra Boukhari, Safae Belayachi, Firdaous Essayagh, Ahmed Anouar Naji, Hajar Lemriss, Khaoula Addakiri, Meriem Essayagh, Sanah Essayagh, Touria Essayagh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:BMC Public Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22459-z
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author Fatima Zahra Boukhari
Safae Belayachi
Firdaous Essayagh
Ahmed Anouar Naji
Hajar Lemriss
Khaoula Addakiri
Meriem Essayagh
Sanah Essayagh
Touria Essayagh
author_facet Fatima Zahra Boukhari
Safae Belayachi
Firdaous Essayagh
Ahmed Anouar Naji
Hajar Lemriss
Khaoula Addakiri
Meriem Essayagh
Sanah Essayagh
Touria Essayagh
author_sort Fatima Zahra Boukhari
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Anxiety is a disorder that may negatively impact the quality of life for people with hypertension. In Marrakech, epidemiological data on anxiety in hypertension patients are scarce, preventing holistic treatment for hypertensive patients and favoring the development of comorbidities. This study aims to assess the prevalence of self-reported anxiety among hypertensive patients receiving care in primary healthcare centers in Marrakech. Methods Between May 2021 and December 2022, a cross-sectional study of 1053 hypertensive patients who visited primary healthcare centers in Marrakech was carried out. Socio-demographic information, behavioral and clinical information, hypertensive treatment characteristics, and the care-patient-physician triad were all collected via a face-to-face questionnaire. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) was used to assess self-reported anxiety. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for self-reported anxiety. Results A total of 348 (33.1%) of those with hypertension overall reported having anxiety symptoms. 301 (86.5%) patients were females, and the mean age was 61.5 ± 9.6 years (mean ± standard deviation). High stress, moderate stress, family history of hypertension, pain and physical discomfort, non-purchase of drug if it is out of stock at the primary healthcare centers, living in urban areas, lack of social support, and non-consumption of five fruits and vegetables per day were identified as risk factors of self-reported anxiety. Conclusion Self-reported anxiety is prevalent in one third of hypertensive patients in Marrakech. Hence, greater emphasis should be placed on the mental health component when managing hypertensive patients in primary healthcare centers.
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spelling doaj-art-51c26739270a42ab8ce03dbfa020d4cc2025-08-20T02:10:23ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-03-0125111010.1186/s12889-025-22459-zThe silent struggle: assessing anxiety prevalence in Marrakech’s hypertensive populationFatima Zahra Boukhari0Safae Belayachi1Firdaous Essayagh2Ahmed Anouar Naji3Hajar Lemriss4Khaoula Addakiri5Meriem Essayagh6Sanah Essayagh7Touria Essayagh8Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Laboratoire Agroalimentaire et Santé, Hassan First University of SettatFaculté des Sciences et Techniques, Laboratoire Agroalimentaire et Santé, Hassan First University of SettatFaculté des Sciences et Techniques, Laboratoire Agroalimentaire et Santé, Hassan First University of SettatFaculté des Sciences Juridiques, Économiques et Sociales, Laboratoire Droit Privé et Enjeux de Développement, Université Sidi Mohamed Ben AbdellahInstitut Supérieur des Sciences de la Santé, Laboratoire Sciences et Ingénierie Biomédicale, Biophysique et Santé, Hassan First University of SettatInstitut Supérieur des Sciences de la Santé, Laboratoire Sciences et Ingénierie Biomédicale, Biophysique et Santé, Hassan First University of SettatOffice National de Sécurité Sanitaire des Produits AlimentairesFaculté des Sciences et Techniques, Laboratoire Agroalimentaire et Santé, Hassan First University of SettatInstitut Supérieur des Sciences de la Santé, Laboratoire Sciences et Ingénierie Biomédicale, Biophysique et Santé, Hassan First University of SettatAbstract Background Anxiety is a disorder that may negatively impact the quality of life for people with hypertension. In Marrakech, epidemiological data on anxiety in hypertension patients are scarce, preventing holistic treatment for hypertensive patients and favoring the development of comorbidities. This study aims to assess the prevalence of self-reported anxiety among hypertensive patients receiving care in primary healthcare centers in Marrakech. Methods Between May 2021 and December 2022, a cross-sectional study of 1053 hypertensive patients who visited primary healthcare centers in Marrakech was carried out. Socio-demographic information, behavioral and clinical information, hypertensive treatment characteristics, and the care-patient-physician triad were all collected via a face-to-face questionnaire. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) was used to assess self-reported anxiety. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for self-reported anxiety. Results A total of 348 (33.1%) of those with hypertension overall reported having anxiety symptoms. 301 (86.5%) patients were females, and the mean age was 61.5 ± 9.6 years (mean ± standard deviation). High stress, moderate stress, family history of hypertension, pain and physical discomfort, non-purchase of drug if it is out of stock at the primary healthcare centers, living in urban areas, lack of social support, and non-consumption of five fruits and vegetables per day were identified as risk factors of self-reported anxiety. Conclusion Self-reported anxiety is prevalent in one third of hypertensive patients in Marrakech. Hence, greater emphasis should be placed on the mental health component when managing hypertensive patients in primary healthcare centers.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22459-zSelf-reported anxietyHypertensionStressPain and physical discomfortSocial supportDiet
spellingShingle Fatima Zahra Boukhari
Safae Belayachi
Firdaous Essayagh
Ahmed Anouar Naji
Hajar Lemriss
Khaoula Addakiri
Meriem Essayagh
Sanah Essayagh
Touria Essayagh
The silent struggle: assessing anxiety prevalence in Marrakech’s hypertensive population
BMC Public Health
Self-reported anxiety
Hypertension
Stress
Pain and physical discomfort
Social support
Diet
title The silent struggle: assessing anxiety prevalence in Marrakech’s hypertensive population
title_full The silent struggle: assessing anxiety prevalence in Marrakech’s hypertensive population
title_fullStr The silent struggle: assessing anxiety prevalence in Marrakech’s hypertensive population
title_full_unstemmed The silent struggle: assessing anxiety prevalence in Marrakech’s hypertensive population
title_short The silent struggle: assessing anxiety prevalence in Marrakech’s hypertensive population
title_sort silent struggle assessing anxiety prevalence in marrakech s hypertensive population
topic Self-reported anxiety
Hypertension
Stress
Pain and physical discomfort
Social support
Diet
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22459-z
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