Incidence of mental disorders in Kazakhstan in 2011-2020: an information-analytical study

Abstract

Introduction. Mental disorders, characterized by disturbances in thinking, feeling, and behavior, pose a significant medical and social challenge. They affect a substantial portion of the population, leading to profound health implications and diminished quality of life. Despite the considerable interest in this area, data regarding the prevalence of mental disorders in the Republic of Kazakhstan still need to be made available. This study aims to analyze the trend of mental disorder prevalence in Kazakhstan from 2011 to 2020, considering various factors such as gender, age, and residency. Methods. This study employed an informational and analytical approach. Data from 10 statistical compilations of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan spanning from 2011 to 2020 were utilized to assess the prevalence of mental disorders. Information about morbidity falling under the category of "mental disorders and behavioral disorders" was incorporated. The data were processed and presented in terms of absolute values and relative indicators. Results and conclusions. Analyzing mental disorder incidence data in Kazakhstan over the ten years revealed several trends. Overall morbidity rates showed a declining trend, notwithstanding some years witnessing minor increases in morbidity. The relative incidence rates also decreased, as evidenced by data per 100,000 population. Primary morbidity demonstrated a general decline, with a notable decrease observed in the first half of the study period. Across age groups, morbidity rates decreased in all categories, with the highest rates observed among adults. Moreover, there was a reduction in morbidity rates in both urban and rural populations, albeit with urban areas consistently exhibiting higher rates than rural areas. These findings could inform the development of interventions aimed at enhancing the mental well-being of the population and improving the management of this medical and social challenge in the future.