Table 5 Bi-variable and multi-variable regression analysis showing associations between independent variables and anxiety among high school students in Northwest Ethiopia, 2021 (n = 810)

Residency

Rural

388

183

1.214(0.884–1.666)

1.211(0.860–1.760)

0.274

Town

152

87

1

1

1

Living conditions

Relatives

37

12

1.650(0.843–3.230)

1.739(0.982–2.792)

0.072

Alone

38

15

1.356(0.730–2.520)

1.441(0.760–2.752)

0.263

With single parent

54

23

1.257(0.751–2.103)

1.241(0.727–2.116)

0.428

With two parent

411

220

1

1

1

Grade

9

186

69

1.483(0.965–2.278)

1.274(0.810–2.004)

0.295

10

121

83

0.802(0.521–1.235)

0.764(0.486–1.202)

0.244

11

133

63

1.161(0.744–1.812)

1.104(0,695–1.755)

0.676

12

100

55

1

1

1

Mother educational status

unable to read and write

393

181

0.543(0.151–1.947)

0.786(0.204–3.026)

0.726

can read and write but not attending formal education

106

63

0.421(0.114–1.548)

0.607(0.153–2.401)

0.477

learned 1–8 grade

21

15

0.350(0.084–1.460)

0.607(0.134–2.749)

0.517

secondary education

8

8

0.250(0.050–1.239)

0.331(0.062–1.774)

0.197

12

3

1

1

1

Academic performance

Poor

46

22

1.444(0.7212.891)

1.366(0.654–2.855)

0.407

Sufficient

349

155

1.555(0.934–2.588)

1.610(0.937–2.767)

0.085

Good

Diploma and above 103

64

1.111(0.630–1.959)

1.177(646–2.142)

0.595

Very good

42

29

1

1

1

Comorbid chronic medical illness

Yes

47

11

1.245(1.145–4.402)

2.099(1.045–4.218)

0.037*

No

493

259

1

1

1

Current suicidal ideation

Yes

33

10

1.692(0.821–3.488)

1.394(0.645–3.014)

0.398

No

507

260

1

1

1

Family histry of mental ilness

Yes

71

20

1.892(1.126–3.181)

1.777(1.028–3.073)

0.04*

No

469

250

1

1

1

Alcohol drinking

Higher risk

47

17

1.502(0.842–2.678)

1.236(0.664–2.301)

0.503

Moderate risk

88

33

1.449(0.940–2.232)

1.328(0.845–2.089)

0.219

Low risk

405

220

1

1

1

Cigarette smoking

Higher risk

30

3

5.324(1.610–9.6730

4.777(1.407–7304)

0.012*

Moderate risk

10

4

2.130(0.705–5.435)

2.026(0.664–2.301)

0223

Low risk

494

263

1

1

1