title: An experience of community mental health program in rural areas of Jharkhand.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the present era, mental disability is a major public health problem in the society. Many of the mental disabilities are correctable if detected early.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the prevalence and pattern of mental disability.
  
  
  METHODS
  Community-based cross-sectional study. Patients of all age groups in the age range of 0-60 years were randomly selected from 10 blocks of 2 districts, viz., Ranchi and Hazaribagh. Thirty villages from each block were taken for the study. The study was conducted by making house-to-house visits, interviewing and examining all the individuals in the families selected using pre-tested questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  It was done by the proportions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of mental disability was found higher among males (67.9%) than among females (32.1%). The prevalence rate was higher among the productive groups and among individuals with low socioeconomic status. There is scope of community-based rehabilitation of the mentally disabled.
authors.affiliation: Department of PSW, RINPAS, Hazaribagh, India.
authors.forename: Shantna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumari
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chaudhury
authors.forename: Amool R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.forename: Sangeeta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumari