An Epidemiological Study of Psychiatric Cases in a Rural Community of Nepal

Authors

  • JB Khattri Department of Psychiatry, Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara,
  • BM Poudel Maryland General Hospital, University of Maryland Medical System,
  • P Thapa Department of Psychiatry, Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara,
  • ST Godar Department of Opthalmology, Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara,
  • S Tirkey Department of Psychiatry, Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara,
  • K Ramesh Department of Psychiatry, Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara,
  • PK Chakrabortty Department of Psychiatry, Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara,

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/njms.v2i1.7654

Keywords:

Prevalence, epidemiology, risk factors

Abstract

Background: Psychiatric cases are widespread in rural communities of Nepal and there is scarcity of data. The present work was undertaken to study the psychiatric cases and its association with different socio-demographic variables.

Methods: A house to house survey was done with simple random method (n=261) in Kusmi Village Development Committee of Baglung District. A semi-structures proforma was used to record the socio-demographic variables and General Health Questinnaire-12 (GHQ-12) was administered to assess the psychiatric cases.

Results: The overall prevalence of psychiatric cases was found to be 37.5 percent. The psychiatric cases were found more in age above 30 years, in males and in other caste (Dalit/Nepali). The maximum number of cases was also elicited in unskilled workers, married group and people who were using alcohol.

Conclusion: The study concludes that there is high prevalence of psychiatric cases in rural community in Nepal. This also calls the need to strengthen the mental health services in the rural community and to address the risk factors associated with psychiatric cases.

Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences | Volume 02 | Number 01 | Jan-Jun 2013 | Page 52-56

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njms.v2i1.7654

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Published

2013-02-21

How to Cite

Khattri, J., Poudel, B., Thapa, P., Godar, S., Tirkey, S., Ramesh, K., & Chakrabortty, P. (2013). An Epidemiological Study of Psychiatric Cases in a Rural Community of Nepal. Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences, 2(1), 52–56. https://doi.org/10.3126/njms.v2i1.7654

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2013)

Section

Original Articles

License

Copyright © by Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences. The ideas and opinions expressed by authors of articles summarized, quoted, or published in full text in this Journal represents only opinions of authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences or the institute with which the author(s) is (are) affiliated, unless so specified.