Quality of Life, Stressful Life Events and Pathways to Care among Patients with Common Mental Disorders in Primary Health Care

Abstract

Context: Stressful life events have an impact on common mental disorders. It is also essential to assess the quality of life and pathway of care to mental health to provide a comprehensive picture of these disorders and plan community mental health services. Aims: This study was done to assess the quality of life and stressful life events among patients diagnosed with common mental disorders. We also assessed the pathways to mental health care. Settings and Design: A2 stage cross-sectional study was conducted- first stage of screening followed by 2nd stage of detailed assessment among diagnosed patients in a rural community in Karnataka, South India Method and Material: Patients diagnosed with CMDs were assessed using WHO QOL BREF scale, Presumptive Stressful Life events scale and Pathway to care study pack. Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive data was analyzed as proportion and pathway to care is presented as diagrammatic representation. Anovaand correlation coefficients were used to assess determinants of quality of life and the role of life events respectively. Results: Financial loss or problems were the most common life events. Mean social relationship domain score was significantly lower and stressful life events in the past 1 year was significantly higher in females. Overall QOL, work capacity, social relationship and environmental domain scores were significantly higher among those who had sought some form of care. Stressful life events experienced ever in lifetime was positively correlated with HAM D score and significant somatic symptoms. Delay after seeking care from general practitioner was much lower compared to other systems of care. Conclusions: QOL and stressful life events were significantly associated with gender. Care seeking in the past had led to improvement of quality of life among the patients.