Industrial Psychiatry Journal (Jan 2009)

An experience of community mental health program in rural areas of Jharkhand

  • Shantna Kumari,
  • S N Mishra,
  • S Chaudhury,
  • Amool R Singh,
  • A N Verma,
  • Sangeeta Kumari

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/0972-6748.57860
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 18, no. 1
pp. 47 – 50

Abstract

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Background: In the present era, mental disability is a major public health problem in the society. Many of the mental disabilities are correctable if detected early. Objectives: To assess the prevalence and pattern of mental disability. Materials and Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study. Patients of all age groups in the age range of 0-60 years were randomly selected from 10 blocks of 2 districts, viz., Ranchi and Hazaribagh. Thirty villages from each block were taken for the study. The study was conducted by making house-to-house visits, interviewing and examining all the individuals in the families selected using pre-tested questionnaire. Statistical Analysis: It was done by the proportions. Results and Conclusion: The prevalence of mental disability was found higher among males (67.9%) than among females (32.1%). The prevalence rate was higher among the productive groups and among individuals with low socioeconomic status. There is scope of community-based rehabilitation of the mentally disabled.

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