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Prevalence of psychiatric disorders in rural South Australia
Author(s) -
Clayer John R,
McFarlane Alexander C,
Bookless Clara L,
Air Tracy,
Wright Graham,
Czechowicz Andrew S
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1995.tb127958.x
Subject(s) - psychiatry , depression (economics) , anxiety , generalized anxiety disorder , medicine , mini international neuropsychiatric interview , mental health , general health questionnaire , alcohol abuse , economics , macroeconomics
Objective To determine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and use of medical services in a South Australian rural community. Design Survey based on structured self‐administered questionnaires. Setting Riverland region of South Australia, between May and November, 1991. Subjects A probability sample of 1009 residents (71.1%) response stratified for age and sex (with replacement) aged 18 years and over from the State electoral roll. Outcome measures DSM‐III‐R‐defined psychiatric disorders diagnosed by means of the University of Washington's Diagnostic Interview Schedule Screening Instrument (DISSI), physical disorders and use of health and allied services. Results Twenty‐six percent had at least one psychiatric disorder in the six months before interview. Prevalence did not differ with sex or age, but was higher in the unemployed (P= 0.0001). Those with a current psychiatric disorder were significandy more likely to report a lifetime physical disorder (P = 0.0001). The most common disorders were major depression and dysthymia (10.8%), anxiety disorder (9.8%), phobic disorder (7.8%), alcohol abuse and dependence (7.0%) and somatisation syndrome (5.3%). During the year before interview, 88.5% of those diagnosed with a current psychiatric disorder had consulted a general practitioner and 4.2% a psychiatrist or psychologist. Conclusion The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the Riverland region was comparatively high. General practitioners were the primary care‐providers for those with psychiatric disorders. These issues need to be addressed by service providers and health planners.