Prevalence of neurotic mental disorders & its association with socio-demographic factors amongst women residing in field practice area of RHTC of IIMSR Medical College, Badnapur, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Background: Mental disorders seen by the world is only a tip of iceberg. The most common mental illnesses in adults are anxiety and mood disorders. Major mental disorders are easy to recognize and commonly seen in mental hospitals, however, minor mental disorders are common in the community. In a society we live in, males are supposed to be dominant and women are supposed to submissive though the trend is slowly changing. Therefore this study focuses on women in age group of 15-65 years in rural population.

Objectives: To screen for the presence of mental disorder in women using SRQ20 and association of mental disorders with socio-demographic status

Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted in the field practice area of Rural Health Training Centre of IIMSR Medical College, Badnapur, Jalna, Maharashtra. All women were belonging to 15 to 65 yrs of age group. Subjects examined with the help of pre-tested proforma & the Self Reporting Questioner (SRQ) developed by the World Health Organization. Data entered and analyzed by using online statistical software.  

Results: Out of 263 women participated in the study, 21 women scored 10 or more on SRQ20 scale showing probable cases of neurotic mental disorder with reasonable accuracy hence prevalence of mental disorder in women was 8%, while remaining 242 women got a score of less than 10 on scale of SRQ.

Conclusion: The prevalence of neurotic psychiatric morbidity in the women of rural area is a growing concern over the years. Illiteracy & poverty are the major socio-economic factors playing a vital part. Post menopausal age group should be paid attention towards their hormonal & mental health.