A Survey on Mental Health Status of Adult Population Aged 15 and above in the Province of Hamadan, Iran.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: This research aims to determine the mental health status of population aged 15 and over in the province of Hamadan in 2015. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey was performed among 1,200 individuals aged 15 years and older, living in urban and rural areas of the three cities of Hamedan, Asadabad, and Malayer. Individuals were enrolled in the study by clustered and systematic randomization. The General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28), was used for screening for common mental disorders. Those scoring above the cut-off point of the GHQ-28 were considered to be suffering from at least one mental disorder. Data was analyzed using the SPSS-18 software. RESULTS: This study showed that using the traditional scoring method, 30.7% of the subjects (31.4% of females and 29.9% of males) were suspected of having mental disorders. The prevalence of suspected psychiatric disorders in urban areas (32.8%) was higher than the prevalence of these disorders in rural areas (25.3%). The prevalence of suspected anxiety and the somatization of symptoms was higher than the prevalence of social dysfunction and depression, and the prevalence of these components was higher in women than men. The findings of this study also showed that the prevalence of suspected mental disorders increased significantly with age. The prevalence of suspected cases of these disorders among women, the age group of 65 and older, people living in urban areas, divorced and widowed, primary and secondary, and unemployed people was higher than other groups. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that about one third of the sample are suspected of mental disorders, and the prevalence of these disorders has decreased from 34.7% in 1999 to 30.7% in 2015. Therefore, it is mandatory for the provincial public health authorities to take the needed steps to ensure that necessary requirements encompassing prevention and promotion of mental health are implemented.