Non-traditional lifestyles and prevalence of mental disorders in adolescents in Goa, India.
BACKGROUND
Adolescents comprise a fifth of the population of India, but there is little research on their mental health. We conducted an epidemiological study in the state of Goa to describe the current prevalence of mental disorders and its correlates among adolescents aged between 12 and 16 years.


OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence and correlates of mental disorders in adolescents.


METHODS
Population-based survey of all eligible adolescents from six urban wards and four rural communities which were randomly selected. We used a Konkani translation of the Development and Well-Being Assessment to diagnose current DSM-IV emotional and behavioural disorders. All adolescents were also interviewed on socio-economic factors, education, neighbourhood, parental relations, peer and sexual relationships, violence and substance use.


RESULTS
Out of 2,684 eligible adolescents, 2,048 completed the study. The current prevalence of any DSM-IV diagnosis was 1.81%; 95% CI 1.27-2.48. The most common diagnoses were anxiety disorders (1.0%), depressive disorder (0.5%), behavioural disorder (0.4%) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (0.2%). Adolescents from urban areas and girls who faced gender discrimination had higher prevalence. The final multivariate model found an independent association of mental disorders with an outgoing 'non-traditional' lifestyle (frequent partying, going to the cinema, shopping for fun and having a boyfriend or girlfriend), difficulties with studies, lack of safety in the neighbourhood, a history of physical or verbal abuse and tobacco use. Having one's family as the primary source of social support was associated with lower prevalence of mental disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
The current prevalence of mental disorders in adolescents in our study was very low compared with studies in other countries. Strong family support was a critical factor associated with low prevalence of mental disorders, while factors indicative of adoption of a non-traditional lifestyle were associated with an increased prevalence.
Pillai
Aravind
A
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK.
Patel
Vikram
V
Cardozo
Percy
P
Goodman
Robert
R
Weiss
Helen A
HA
Andrew
Gracy
G
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003710:Demography; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005195:Family Relations / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style / Q000208:ethnology*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012922:Social Change