Prevalence of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Symptoms in a Sample of Medical Students in Iraq

Authors

  • Zainab A. Jaber Fatimah Al-Zahra Gynecology, Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, Al-Russafa Health Directorate, Ministry of Health, Baghdad, Iraq. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2692-5322
  • Mushtaq Talib Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4645-7992
  • Manal A. Habib Department of Pathology & Forensic Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0046-1259
  • Kholod Dh. Habib Fatimah Al-Zahra Gynecology, Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, Al-Russafa Health Directorate, MOH. Iraq. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3278-6338
  • Huda A. Habib Department Community & Family Medicine, Al-Kindy College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8374-0586

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32007/jfacmedbaghdad2165

Keywords:

Medical Students, Obsessive compulsive symptoms, Revised Arabic Scale of Obsession-Compulsion

Abstract

Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) is a common mental health condition where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. The worldwide prevalence of OCD is approximately 2% of the general population.


Objective: To assess prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms in a sample of medical students in Iraq.


Methods: A cross-sectional study design with a convenience sampling method, was conducted on 414 Iraqi medical students during
the period from 1st November, 2022 to 28th February, 2023. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire submitted online. The questionnaire consisted of two parts: The first included socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, college year, residence, marital status) and risk factors, whereas the second part consisted of 20 items from the Revised Arabic Scale of Obsession-Compulsion.


Results: It was found that (38.9%) of participants had OCD symptoms. The overall weighted mean and standard deviation, was 2.13 ± 0.599, so any mean equal to or exceeding this value was highly indicative of OCDthe cut-off point). Significant associations were found between positive family history of OCD, age, college year, and OCD symptom score.


Conclusion: OCD symptoms were found in over one third of the Iraqi medical students included in the study. A positive family history of OCD, younger age, and early college years seem to be associated with higher OCD symptom scores.

Received: May 2025

Revised: April 2026

Accepted: May 2026

Published Online: May 2026

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Medical Students, Obsessive compulsive symptoms, Revised Arabic Scale of Obsession-Compulsion

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1.
Jaber ZA, Talib M, Habib MA, Habib KD, Habib HA. Prevalence of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Symptoms in a Sample of Medical Students in Iraq. J Fac Med Baghdad [Internet]. [cited 2026 May 26];. Available from: https://iqjmc.uobaghdad.edu.iq/index.php/19JFacMedBaghdad36/article/view/2165