P2.A018: Unveiling Adolescent Anxiety: A Decade of Insights from Ecuador

Background: The transition from childhood to adolescence is a complex journey characterized by physical and emotional changes. This time, often seen as one of the toughest parts of growing up, is filled with ups and downs, as teenagers try to figure out who they are. In Ecuador, where traditions mix with modern life, being a teenager can be even more complex.

Between 2012 and 2022, Ecuador went through big changes, including politics, violent scenarios and social standards. Teenagers during this time faced a lot of uncertainty, which often led to feelings of anxiety. Here we describe the prevalence of hospital admissions due to anxiety during this critical time; in order to highlight the challenging nature of adolescence as a time of transformation and development, and to emphasize the importance of tackling mental health issues.

Methods: Data publicly available from the National Institute of Census and Statistics (INEC) from 2012 to 2022 was analyzed, focusing on hospital admissions related to anxiety disorders among individuals aged 12 to 21 years old, corresponding to adolescence and early adulthood in Ecuador. Anxiety disorders were classified according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) codes ranging from F40 to F48.

Results: The study analyzed hospital admissions for anxiety disorders in adolescents and young adults from 2021 to 2022, considering sex, diagnosis, region, and year. The data indicates that there are approximately 2.04 times more admissions among females compared to males . Across the years, the most prevalent subtype is F41, which shows a noticeable overall increase in males and females, with percentages soaring from approximately 5.48% and 3.54% in 2012 to 67.10% and 70.22% in 2022, respectively. While there are fewer admissions overall for the F45 subtype, there's a slight increase in admissions for both genders during the whole decade. On the other hand, F40, F42, F44, F48 subtypes remain stable. Throughout this time, the regions with the highest admission rates were Tungurahua (37.70 per 10,000 inhabitants) and Pastaza (30.81 cases per 10,000 inhabitants). Conversely, provinces like Bolivar and Orellana exhibit lower percentages, indicating a more stable prevalence. Finally, 2018 and 2022 stand out as years with notably higher percentages across several provinces, indicating potential spikes in anxiety disorder admissions.

Conclusion: Anxiety is not only a reality but also a crucial concern, particularly among teenagers. The findings of this study highlight the significant challenges faced during this critical period of development. Additionally, the regional disparities in admission rates underscore the importance of considering local contexts and resources in addressing mental health needs among adolescents. Overall, this study emphasizes the urgency of prioritizing mental health initiatives to support individuals navigating the complexities of adolescence.