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

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

METHODS: The statistical population of this cross-sectional field survey consisted of residents of urban and rural areas of Kordestan 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 Sanandaj, Divandareh and Bijar cities. The General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) was used as a screening tool for mental disorders. Data analysis in the current study was carried out using the SPSS-18 software.

RESULTS: With the traditional scoring method used, 30.4% of the participants (38.1% of women and 22.9% of men) were suspected of having mental disorders. The suspected prevalence of mental disorder was higher in urban (32.5%) than rural areas (25.3%). The suspected prevalence of somatic symptoms and anxiety was greater than the suspected prevalence of social dysfunction and depression, and these disorders were more prevalent in women than men. The findings also showed that the suspected prevalence of mental disorder increased with age. The suspected prevalence of these disorders was higher in women, urban residents, the over 65 age group, the divorced and widowed subjects, the illiterate, the retired and the housewives compared to the other groups.

CONCLUSION: The present findings showed that almost a third of the samples were suspected of mental disorder, and the prevalence of these disorders had increased from 21.8% in 1999 to 30% in 2015. The health authorities of the province should therefore take the necessary measures to protect and treat people with mental disorders and promote mental health in the community.