title: Prevalence of priority psychiatric disorders in a rural area in kerala.
abstract: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence rate of priority psychiatric disorders in a rural area in Kerala and to find out the sociodemographic correlates of the morbidity. A door to door survey had been conducted by trained surveyors to identify individuals with priority psychiatric disorders. The detected cases were examined by a psychiatrist at their houses in the village itself, to confirm as to whether they were having any psychiatric disorder. Out of the 1094 households surveyed (having a population of five thousand two hundred and eighty four), seventy seven individuals were found to have priority psychiatric disorders giving a prevalence rate of 14.57 per thousand. Females in general showed increased mental morbidity. An increased prevalence rate has been observed among Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes. An increased morbidity is noticed among the people belonging to the lower socioeconomic status.
authors: S. Shaji, DPM, Consultant Psychiatrist, Norman Vincent Peale Medical Center, Vettickal P.O. Mulanthuruthy, Ernakulam District, Kerala 682314.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Shaji
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Verghese
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Promodu
authors: B
authors: B
authors: George
authors: V P
authors: VP
authors: Shibu