A Survey on Mental Health Status of Adult Population Aged 15 and above in the Province of Kerman, Iran.

INTRODUCTION: This research aims to determine the mental health status of population aged 15 and over in the province of Kerman in 2015.

METHODS: The statistical population of this cross-sectional field survey consisted of residents of urban and rural areas of Kerman in Iran. An estimated sample size of 1200 people was chosen using systematic random cluster sampling. The access was provided by the contribution of Geographical Post Office of Kerman, Jiroft and Bam cities. The General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) was used as the screening tool for mental disorders. The analysis of data in the current study was carried out using the SPSS-18 software.

RESULTS: Using GHQ traditional scoring method, the results showed that 18.8% of the subjects showed to be at risk of mental disorders (22.9% of females and 14.8% of males). Urban areas (20.2%) were more at risk of mental disorders compared with rural residents (16%). Anxiety and somatization symptoms were more frequent than depression and social dysfunction among respondents. The obtained data revealed that the prevalence of mental disorders increased with age. The results also indicated that mental disorders were more common in certain subgroups; in particular women, those aged 65 years and above, the divorced and widowed, illiterate and unemployed adults.

CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that one fifth of the samples were suspected of psychiatric disorders and the prevalence of these disorders has decreased from 22.9% in 1999 to 18.8% in 2015; so, it is on the authorities and health managers of the province to maintain the essential elements for continuity of mental health services to people with mental disorders.