Abstract
BACKGROUND: The existing literature on mental health in an industrial population is very limited. This study will certainly add to the existing information on planning preventive and promotive measures in industrial population thereby safeguarding their health. AIM: This cross sectional study was undertaken during the November and December month of 2001 in industrial population of a iron ore processing unit of Karnataka, India to study the epidemiology of mental health in industrial population and the associated risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in an Iron Ore processing company located in Chickamagalore District of Karnataka in the year 2001 (November and December) using Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview Plus and Occupational Stress Index. 252 employees from 1537 population of Kuduremukh Township were selected as the study sample, which represents 16.4% of the total population of industrial workers. 235 were responders (93.3%) and 17 were non-responders (6.7%). Following a detailed interview with the selected industrial workers, diagnosis was made based on International Classification of Diseases-10, Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders: Diagnostic Criteria for Research. RESULTS: Majority of the study sample consists of males (95.7%), Hindus (85.5%), married persons (96.2%), and originally from the state in which industry is located, i.e., Karnataka (96.2%). In the present study current prevalence of depressive disorder is 6.8%, dysthymia being 5.5%. Lifetime prevalence of mood disorder is 17.8% major depression in 7.6%. In the present study there were 59 cases without comorbid diagnoses Vs 26 cases with two or more comorbid diagnosis. Overall 31% cases had comorbid diagnosis. In the present study however no significant difference emerged between those with and without lifetimes or current psychiatric illness in variables such as sociodemographic characteristics, type of work perceived, work related problem and physical health problem. CONCLUSION: Overall the present study has found high rates of psychiatric (lifetime and current) in industrial workers in keeping with western and few recent Indian studies. But has failed to find a robust association
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