Prevalence of psychiatric disorder and the need for psychiatric care in Northern Ireland. Population study in the District of Derry.
BACKGROUND
This is the first report on the epidemiology of psychiatric disorders and needs for psychiatric treatment in the District of Derry, Northern Ireland.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence of psychiatric disorder and the needs for treatment in the general population of Derry.


METHODS
The sample was drawn at random with a two-phase design using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) during the first phase, and the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (SCAN) with the Needs for Care Assessment (NFCAS-C) in the second phase.


RESULTS
The second phase (n=307) gave a weighted 1-month prevalence of hierarchically ordered ICD-10 psychiatric disorders of 7.5% and a 1-year prevalence of 12.2%. The equivalent prevalences for depressive disorders were 2.4% and 6.0%, respectively, and those for anxiety states were 3.5% and 3.7%. Only a quarter of needs for treatment were met, with the situation being better for depression than for anxiety.


CONCLUSIONS
The rates of psychiatric disorder in Derry were even higher than those reported by a similar survey in inner London. This almost certainly reflects the very high levels of social deprivation in the District. Needs for treatment were often unmet.
Ross Thomson Unit, Causeway Hospital, 4 Newbridge Road, Coleraine BT52 1HS, Northern Ireland.
Pamela
P
McConnell
Paul
P
Bebbington
Roy
R
McClelland
Kate
K
Gillespie
Sharon
S
Houghton
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009660:Northern Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires