Assessing COVID19-related anxiety in an Egyptian sample and correlating it to knowledge and stigma about the virus

BACKGROUND: COVID19 public health crisis has led to extensive anxiety regarding spread of virus. Aim of study is to assess COVID19-related anxiety in Egypt and correlate it to knowledge and stigma. RESULTS: Online questionnaire, 17–20 April 2020, had 218 Egyptian respondents to a socio-demographic questionnaire and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7). The present study revealed that 21.2% of the respondents were experiencing severe anxiety, 34.8% moderately severe anxiety, 25.2% moderate anxiety, and 18.8% mild anxiety. Women have more rates of severe anxiety. People who get online knowledge about COVID19 have least rates of severe anxiety. 51.8% think having the virus is stigmatizing. Knowledge and stigma are insignificantly inversely correlated to anxiety scores CONCLUSION: Online scientific health education is necessary to reduce anxiety.