Survey of psychiatric morbidity in a semi‐urban population in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The entire population [7653] was 1st screened by social workers using a standardized interview. Probable cases were then examined by psychiatrists. Each psychiatric disorder identified was rated on 4 different parameters of severity, and only those rating moderate or severe were labeled as cases. The socio-demographic characteristics of the cases and the population at risk, and the frequency and nature of psychiatric disorders were presented. The 6 mo. period prevalence for all psychiatric disorders was 45.5/1000, with psychoses amounting to 6.9 (males 5.5; females 8.4)/1000 and neuroses to 25.2 (males 9.9; females 40.6)/1000. The large majority of disorders were chronic and had not received psychiatric treatment. The relevance of these surveys for psychiatric services in developing countries was discussed.