<?php

function sog_count_wdgt_areas( $areas ) {
    $widget_areas = ( is_array($areas) ? $areas : false );
    if( ! $widget_areas ) {
        return 'inactive';
    } else {
        $count = 0;
        foreach( $widget_areas as $container ) {
//          $count++;
            if( is_active_sidebar( $container ) ) {
                $count++;
            }
        }
        return $count;
    }
}
$areas = array( 'area_1', 'area_2', 'area_3' );
echo sog_count_wdgt_areas( $areas ); // returns 1 even if all sidebars are active

?>