Prevalence of Mental Illnesses among Adults Attending Primary Health Care Centers in Baghdad

Salman, Tha’er Saleem; Al-Lami, Faris Hasan; Rhemah, Shalan Joodah

	Prevalence of Mental Illnesses among Adults Attending Primary Health Care Centers in Baghdad
Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal
Article 1, Volume 15, Issue 2, 2016, Pages 2328-233 PDF (0 K)
Authors
Tha’er Saleem Salman; Faris Hasan Al-Lami; Shalan Joodah Rhemah
Abstract
BACKGROUND: It is gradually becoming recognized that mental disorders are a public health problem throughout the world. Psychiatric epidemiological studies are therefore crucial for the planning and development of psychiatric services. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and determinants of mental illness among adults attending Primary Health Care Centers (PHCCs) in Baghdad, Iraq. METHODS: A cross sectional survey was conducted in two primary health care centers in Baghdad governorate. Participants were interviewed and data filled using a questionnaire for socio-demographic variables, Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20), and WHO guide to mental health in primary care. RESULTS: A total of 527 PHCCs attendees were approached. The prevalence of mental illness was 36.8%. Depression (49.48%) and anxiety (20.62%) were the major categories of mental illness. The highest proportion of mental illnesses was seen among the older age groups (80%), females (37.9%), widows (84.6%), higher education level (96.7%), and retired (77.8%). CONCLUSION: In accordance with other studies, about one third of adult attending PHCCs had mental disorders. The study emphasized strengthening mental health services in PHCCs through establishing metal health care units.
Keywords
mental illness; prevalence; primary health care.

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