Low post-traumatic stress disorder rate in Chinese in Beijing, China.

OBJECT: There have been significantly fewer community-based, epidemiological studies focusing on PTSD and its socio-demographic correlates among the Chinese than Western populations. METHOD: The multistage household cluster random sampling method was used to select participants from18 districts and counties in Beijing; a total of 16,032 participants were assessed; face-to-face interviews and data collection was conducted using the semi-structured clinical interview for DSM-IV-TR Axis I Disorders-Patient Edition (SCID-I/P). RESULT: The lifetime PTSD prevalence was 0.3%. Older age, low educational level, low personal monthly income, urban living, unemployment and being a farmer were all significantly associated with an increased risk of PTSD. Multivariate analysis showed that farmers and the unemployed were significantly associated with a higher risk for PTSD. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence rates of PTSD in Beijing were low compared with that of Western countries. Farming occupation and unemployment were independent risk factors for PTSD.

Alcohol-related disorders in Beijing, China: prevalence, socio-demographic correlates, and unmet need for treatment.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of alcohol use, episodic heavy drinking, and alcohol dependence and their socio-demographic correlates in Beijing, China. methods: A total of 5,926 subjects were randomly selected in Beijing and interviewed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 1.0). Data on basic socio-demographic and current major medical conditions were also collected. RESULTS: The 12-month prevalence of alcohol use and episodic heavy drinking were 32.5 and 13.8%, respectively. The 12-month and lifetime prevalence of alcohol dependence were 1.7 and 4.3%, respectively. Age above 24 years, male sex, being married and employed, low education level (junior high school, primary school or illiterate), rural residence, and having comorbid psychiatric disorders were all significantly associated with a higher likelihood of alcohol-related disorders. Only 2.4% of the subjects with alcohol dependence were receiving treatment, and a mere 1.4% had sought treatment from mental health professionals. CONCLUSIONS: Nationwide surveys are urgently needed to further explore the prevalence of alcohol-related disorders in China.

The prevalence of insomnia, its sociodemographic and clinical correlates, and treatment in rural and urban regions of Beijing, China: a general population-based survey.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of insomnia, its sociodemographic and clinical correlates, and treatment patterns in Chinese people. DESIGN: A total of 5,926 subjects were randomly selected in the urban and rural areas of Beijing and interviewed using standardized assessment tools. Basic sociodemographic and clinical data were also collected. SETTING: Urban and rural regions of Beijing municipality, China. Patients or Participants Adult residents older than 15 years. Interventions N/A. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: The prevalence of at least one type of insomnia was 9.2%; the rates of difficulty initiating sleep (DIS), difficulty maintaining sleep (DMS), and early morning awakening (EMA) were 7.0%, 8.0%, and 4.9%, respectively. Increased age (age >44 and 24 years in the urban and rural samples, respectively), female sex, married, divorced, separated, or widowed marital status; having a major medical condition; and suffering from a psychiatric disorder were risk factors for all types of insomnia in both the urban and rural samples. A low level of education (primary school or illiteracy) was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of all types of insomnia in the urban sample. Current smokers and current drinkers were less likely to report any type of insomnia in the rural sample. Unemployment was associated with DMS in the urban sample, while it was associated with DIS and DMS in the rural sample. Only 5.4% of the participants with any type of insomnia reported their symptoms to medical practitioners. In contrast, nearly one-third of the subjects with insomnia reported taking benzodiazepines as sleep-enhancing drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Nationwide epidemiologic surveys are needed to further explore the prevalence of insomnia in China. The low percentage of subjects treated for insomnia indicates a major public health problem that should be addressed. Strict controls on use of benzodiazepines are warranted.

Prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of schizophrenia in Beijing, China.

OBJECTIVE: There has been no large-scale survey of schizophrenia in China involving both rural and urban areas using standardized assessment tools and diagnostic criteria. This study aimed to determine the lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia and its socio-demographic correlates in Beijing, China. METHODS: A total of 5926 subjects were randomly selected in Beijing and interviewed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 1.0). Basic socio-demographic and clinical data were collected during the interviews. RESULTS: The lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia was 0.49%, and 0.44% and 0.55% for men and women, respectively. Unmarried status, lower monthly income, urban abode and positive family history were associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia; 9.7% of the subjects with lifetime schizophrenia reported a history of suicide attempts. The percentage of subjects with schizophrenia who were receiving treatment and their preference to seek treatment from mental health professionals were 58% and 29%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: National surveys are urgently needed to further explore the prevalence of schizophrenia in China. The low percentage of subjects treated for schizophrenia is a serious public health issue that should be addressed in the near future.