Psychological symptoms in women in a primary care setting in Tamil Nadu.
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.
Lawson
Edwina
E
Honorary Research Worker, Health Services Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London.
Craig
Tom
T
Bhugra
Dinesh
D