Epidemiology of mental disorders in the North Banat region

Abstract

Mental disorders are recognized as a significant socio-medical problem within WHO European Region with prevalence of 5%. They constantly have an increasing rate and comprise series of pathologies including neuroses and psychosocial pathologies, organic psychoses and neural disorders. Over the past decade, as a result of crisis, enhancement of mental disorders has been established in our population. The objective of this paper was to analyze occurrence and epidemiology of mental disorders in adult population of the North Banat region in the period from 1997 to 2000. We performed a comprehensive measurement and analysis of registered morbidity using official statistics issued by departments of general practitioners. We analyzed registered morbidity in 6 health centers and established that neural-, stress- and somatotropic disorders make 3-7% of general morbidity in regard to 10 most frequent groups of illnesses. Prevalence of mental disorders differs in the examined region, but not significantly. We assume that this is the result of different approaches to this problem by physicians who establish the diagnosis. As our current research shows, mental disorders had a slight increasing rate during the last five years. Difference regarding health care approach is apparent, as well. We propose a health care program for mental health of the entire population as well as appropriate education of health professionals.