The Thai National Mental Health Survey 2013: Prevalence of Mental Disorders in Megacities: Bangkok

Abstract

Objective

: To determine the prevalence of mental disorders and their possible associated socio-demographic risk factors in Bangkok.

Methods

: The Thai National Mental Health Survey 2013’s (TNMHS2013) is a cross-sectional community survey of Thais aged 18 and above using four-stage, non-replaceable sampling from Bangkok and four other regions serving as the primary stratum. Respondents were directly interviewed by trained interviewers using the Thai version of World Mental Health - Composite International Diagnostic Interview version 3.0 (WMH-CIDI 3.0). The data of respondents from Bangkok was separately extracted and analysed for weighted prevalence in percentage, standard errors and Pearson Chi-squared test.

Results

: Of the 1,272 eligible respondents from Bangkok, 715 (56.2%) consented and completed the interview. The overall prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Bangkok is 9.3%, with the prevalence of any substance-use disorder being highest (5.6%), followed by at least one psychotic-like experience (1.7%). The prevalence of suicidality in respondents with any mental disorders in Bangkok is 32.9% with 15.3% of those reporting at least one psychotic-like experience. This is the only condition whose prevalence is statistically difference from the rest of the country.

Conclusion

: Prevalence of mental disorders in Bangkok is comparably lower than those reported by other megacities. Disorder of highest prevalence is any substance-use disorders. The prevalence of suicidality is found highest in those reporting at least one psychotic-like experience.