Statistical study of anxiety among students of higher education in Guwahati, Assam: Understanding symptoms and treatment-seeking behavior.

Background: Anxiety significantly affects students' academic performance and well-being, making it essential to examine their symptom manifestations and treatment-seeking behavior. Aim: This study aims to assess the occurrence of anxiety symptoms among students of higher education in Guwahati City, Assam, and to examine their medical help-seeking behavior in relation to various demographic factors. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from 2715 randomly chosen students of 8 major government educational institutions using the standard Hamilton Anxiety Rating (HAM-A) Scale. Statistical tools like the Kruskal-Wallis H test, Median Test, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Chi-square test were used for analysis. Results: Significant differences were found in the median scores of anxiety symptoms, as well as between the status of anxiety and the medical treatment preferences of students. Treatment-seeking behavior was influenced by age, education level, and family income, but not by gender, institution, or living status. Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for tailored interventions to effectively manage anxiety and improve mental health support for higher education students.