Prevalence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms among adult population in primary care centers in Bahrain - A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

The global increasing prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorders and symptoms among various age groups and nationalities is considered a great clinical challenge. However, limited data are available on this topic in the Middle East and Gulf Council Countries. This study aimed to raise awareness of obsessive-compulsive symptoms among adults in Bahrain by determining its prevalence and risk factors among patients attending primary healthcare centers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult patients attending primary healthcare centers in Bahrain. A self-administered online questionnaire using Google form, a free online survey-creating website, was distributed through WhatsApp messages. A snowball sampling technique was used. The questionnaire consisted of three parts: the socio-demographic data of participants, the Maudsley Obsessional-Compulsive Inventory, and the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

A total of 614 participants were included with a mean age of 30.04 ± 13.04 years. Most participants were females (82.5%) and single ( = 347, 56.5%). The estimated prevalence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms among the participants was 15%; most of them reported mild symptoms (85%). Significantly higher obsession and compulsion symptoms were found among non-Bahraini ( < 0.001 and < 0.002), single ( < 0.001 and < 0.033), and student participants ( < 0.001 and = 0.002) compared to their counterparts, respectively. In addition, undergraduates reported higher obsessions compared to other participants ( = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately, one in every eight people in Bahrain were found to suffer from obsessive-compulsive symptoms, especially single, students, and non-Bahraini participants. These findings highlight the need for raising awareness of obsessive-compulsive disorder and its symptoms as well as the importance of early detection and management of obsessive-compulsive disorder.