Psychiatric Morbidity in a North Indian Community

¹ Reader, Department of Psychiatry, King George's Medical College, Lucknow, India
² Medical Officer of Health, Urban Health Centre, Alambagh, Lucknow, India; Professor of Social and Preventive Medicine, Medical College, Meerut, India
³ Medical Social Worker, Urban Health Centre, Alambagh, Lucknow, India

Results of a house-to-house survey aimed at obtaining rates and pattern of psychiatric illnesses prevalent in a North Indian urban community over a period of one year are reported. Of the 2,696 individuals covered by the survey 220 were found to be suffering from psychiatric illness, giving a prevalence rate of 82 per 1,000 population. Prevalence of mental illness was found to be significantly higher in the age group 26-65 years, among the married compared to the unmarried, and among those holding semi-skilled and unskilled jobs. The bulk of the patients was formed by those suffering from neurosis, alcoholism, mental retardation and nocturnal enuresis. Hindu and Sikh middle-aged housewives suffered most from neurosis. Habitual excessive drinking was mostly confined to Muslims holding low-income jobs. While the prevalence of mental retardation was significantly higher among the males, no such sex difference was associated with nocturnal enuresis. The prevalence rates for mental retardation and alcoholism were higher in the slum areas whereas rates for functional psychosis, neurosis and nocturnal enuresis were relatively higher in the better-off communities.

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