Mental disorders on the island of Formentera: prevalence in general population using the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN).
BACKGROUND
The aims of this two-stage epidemiological study were: to determine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the general population of the island of Formentera (Balearic Isles, Spain); to provide reference data for subsequent health care planning; and to test a relatively new assessment instrument, the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN), in a community study.


METHODS
It was designed as a cross-sectional two-stage community study using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) at stage one (N = 697), and the SCAN at stage two (N = 242).


RESULTS
Estimated prevalence of disorders was 21.4% according to the ICD-10 classification system. Neurotic and somatoform disorders were the most prevalent, followed by substance-related, sleep and mood disorders. Total prevalence of mental disorders showed no significant differences according to sex. As regards age, mood and anxiety disorders were most prevalent in the 30- to 50-year age group, and sleep disorders were more prevalent in the older group.


CONCLUSIONS
Prevalences of mental disorders in Formentera are higher than those found in two-stage studies in other countries and similar to those found in most studies in Spain, despite the variety of the instruments used.
Roca
M
M
Psychiatry and Social Psychology Unit, Departament of Psychology, University of the Balearic Isles, Carretera de Valldemossa km 7.5, E-07071 Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Dpsmgp3@ps.uib.es
Gili
M
M
Ferrer
V
V
Bernardo
M
M
Montaño
J J
JJ
Salvà
J J
JJ
Flores
I
I
Leal
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000592:standards; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology