title: Psychiatric disorder in a South African general hospital. Prevalence in medical, surgical, and gynecological wards.
abstract: The aim was to elicit the individual and comparative prevalence of psychiatric disorder in medical, surgical, and gynecological wards in a South African hospital comprising a predominantly Third World patient population. Results indicated that 21%, 95% confidence interval (16;26) of the total sample of 230 patients had a DSM-III-R psychiatric disorder. Fifty-six percent had a diagnosis of substance dependence and 33% were found to have depressive disorders. Comparative analysis between disciplines indicated that the highest prevalence was in surgical wards. There was a statistically significant difference between the sexes. The variables associated with the presence of a psychiatric disorder and implications for better recognition and treatment are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Natal, Congella, South Africa.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Pillay
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006769:Hospitals, General / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009775:Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013503:Surgery Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data