Prevalence and Factors of Social Anxiety Disorder Among Health Science Students in Kathmandu

Background and Purpose: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) which is characterized by persistent fear of social situations is increasingly relevant, particularly among students in today’s competitive society. This study assesses the prevalence of SAD and identifies associated factors among health care students. Materials and Methods: A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to May 2023 and included 325 participants from five colleges in Kathmandu City, Nepal. The sample size was calculated using the formula Z²pq/d². The participants were selected via the purposive sampling method. SAD was assessed using the 17-item social phobia inventory instrument. Logistic regression analysis identified significant predictors (P