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Psychiatric morbidity in primary care.
M K al-Haddad1, A al-Garf, S al-Jowder
1Psychiatric Hospital, Salmaneya Medical Complex, Manama, Bahrain.
Summary
Hidden psychiatric morbidity is common in Bahraini primary care patients, affecting nearly half. The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HAD) effectively screen for these conditions.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Psychiatric conditions often go undiagnosed in primary care settings.
- Screening tools are essential for identifying hidden psychiatric morbidity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of hidden psychiatric morbidity in Bahraini primary care attendees.
- To evaluate the utility of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HAD) for screening.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 149 adult patients (≥16 years) attending primary health centers.
- Patients were randomly selected for non-psychiatric reasons.
- The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HAD) were administered.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of psychiatric morbidity ranged from 23.6% to 45.1% depending on the scale and cut-off used.
- Higher prevalence was observed in women aged 50-55, divorcees/widows, and individuals with lower education levels.
- Both GHQ and HAD demonstrated effectiveness in identifying psychiatric illness.
Conclusions:
- A significant burden of undiagnosed psychiatric morbidity exists in Bahraini primary care.
- The GHQ and HAD are valuable tools for screening psychiatric conditions in this population.
- Targeted screening may be beneficial for specific demographic groups.