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Prevalence of Anxiety in University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Shefali Liyanage

    (School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Kiran Saqib

    (School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Amber Fozia Khan

    (School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada)

  • Tijhiana Rose Thobani

    (School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada)

  • Wang-Choi Tang

    (School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada)

  • Cameron B. Chiarot

    (School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada)

  • Bara’ Abdallah AlShurman

    (School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada)

  • Zahid Ahmad Butt

    (School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada)

Abstract

There is a dearth of evidence synthesis on the prevalence of anxiety among university students even though the risk of psychological disorders among this population is quite high. We conducted a quantitative systematic review to estimate the global prevalence of anxiety among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. A systematic search for cross-sectional studies on PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO, using PRISMA guidelines, was conducted from September 2020 to February 2021. A total of 36 studies were included, using a random-effects model to calculate the pooled proportion of anxiety. A meta-analysis of the prevalence estimate of anxiety yielded a summary prevalence of 41% (95% CI = 0.34–0.49), with statistically significant evidence of between-study heterogeneity (Q = 80801.97, I 2 = 100%, p ≤ 0.0001). A subgroup analysis reported anxiety prevalence in Asia as 33% (95% CI:0.25–0.43), the prevalence of anxiety in Europe as 51% (95% CI: 0.44–0.59), and the highest prevalence of anxiety in the USA as 56% (95% CI: 0.44–0.67). A subgroup gender-based analysis reported the prevalence of anxiety in females as 43% (95% CI:0.29–0.58) compared to males with an anxiety prevalence of 39% (95% CI:0.29–0.50). University students seem to have a high prevalence of anxiety, indicating an increased mental health burden during this pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Shefali Liyanage & Kiran Saqib & Amber Fozia Khan & Tijhiana Rose Thobani & Wang-Choi Tang & Cameron B. Chiarot & Bara’ Abdallah AlShurman & Zahid Ahmad Butt, 2021. "Prevalence of Anxiety in University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2021:i:1:p:62-:d:708298
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Arndt Büssing & Michaela Zupanic & Jan P. Ehlers & Angelika Taetz-Harrer, 2022. "Mental Stress in Medical Students during the Pandemic and Their Relation to Digital and Hybrid Semester—Cross-Sectional Data from Three Recruitment Waves in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-18, September.
    3. da Silva, Filipa Pires & Jerónimo, Helena Mateus & Henriques, Paulo Lopes & Ribeiro, Joana, 2024. "Impact of digital burnout on the use of digital consumer platforms," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    4. Jian Yang & Ling Xiang & Shaobang Zheng & Huijing Liang, 2022. "Learning Stress, Involvement, Academic Concerns, and Mental Health among University Students during a Pandemic: Influence of Fear and Moderation of Self-Efficacy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-16, August.

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