title: Psychological symptoms in women in a primary care setting in Tamil Nadu.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Common mental disorders, especially depression, are likely to increase as a result of globalization and industrialization and it is likely that the resultant burden of care will increase proportionately. Women have a higher prevalence of depression and also carry the burden of caring for the affected individuals.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the psychological symptoms with possible common mental disorders in a primary care setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred two women of Tamil ethnicity were approached to take part in answering the Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ). The mean age of cases and non-cases were 39 years and 33 years, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nearly three-fifths scored above the cut-off point. Age, physical illness and chronic pain were found to be important factors in the genesis of depression in particular.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings have major implications for any preventative or intervention strategies.
authors: Honorary Research Worker, Health Services Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London.
authors: Edwina
authors: E
authors: Lawson
authors: Tom
authors: T
authors: Craig
authors: Dinesh
authors: D
authors: Bhugra