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Gender differences in psychiatric outpatients: a before and during COVID-19 pandemic study in general hospitals from
Wenli He1, Danhong Xu1,2, Jiafeng Wang1
1Department of Psychiatry, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China.
Insights
Female psychiatric outpatients outnumbered males, with increased demand observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among younger women and those with anxiety disorders. Targeted strategies are needed for female mental health services.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Limited understanding of gender disparities in psychiatric outpatient care in China.
- Impact of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on mental health service utilization remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze gender characteristics of psychiatric outpatients.
- To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gender-specific mental health service demand.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 225,947 outpatient records from 3 general hospitals (2019-2020).
- Examination of gender composition across age groups and diagnostic categories.
- Comparison of patient visits, unique patients, and new patient numbers before and during the pandemic.
Main Results:
- Overall male-to-female ratio was 1:1.69, with women more prevalent in all age groups.
- Proportion of female patients increased in 2020 versus 2019, especially under 34 years and for anxiety disorders.
- Females showed higher demand for most mental disorders, except substance use disorders (M:F ratio 1:0.05).
Conclusions:
- Female psychiatric outpatient service demand significantly exceeds male demand.
- Increased demand for female services observed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Need for targeted mechanisms and psychosocial strategies for female mental health care.
Background:
Little is known about the gender characteristics and the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) impact on psychiatric department outpatients in general hospitals in China.
Methods:
We retrospectively collected 225,947 outpatient clinic records before and during COVID-19 pandemic from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020 in the psychiatric clinic of 3 general hospitals, gender composition of patients was analyzed in different five age groups and nine diagnostic categories at three levels: total patient visits, number of patients and number of first-visit patients.
Results:
The total male-to-female ratio of psychiatric outpatient records in 3 general hospitals from 2019 to 2020 was 1:1.69. Women were more common in all age groups. Overall, the proportion of women was further increased in 2020 compared to that in 2019, especially in age group below 34 years and anxiety disorders category. Most mental disorders showed higher demands for females than that for males except mental and behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use with the male-to-female ratio was 1:0.05.
Conclusions:
The demand for female psychiatric outpatient services is obviously higher than that for males. It is necessary to pay more attention to explore targeted mechanism or psychosocial service strategy for female patients with mental disorders. Trial registration ChiCTR2100044894, March 31, 2021 retrospectively registered.
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