Prevalence of mental disorders and mental health problems: Thai national mental health survey 2013

Abstract

               Objectives To report the lifetime and 12-month prevalence of significant mental disorders and mental health problems in Thai adults and the access to any services in people endorsing these conditions.

                Materials and methods This is a cross-sectional community survey of Thai population aging 18 and above using a stratified multi-stage cluster non-replacement sampling interviewed by the Thai version of the World Mental Health - Composite International Diagnostic Interview version 3.0 (WMH-CIDI 3.0), during October to December 2013, with respond rate of 74.3% and total respondents of 4727. The prevalence were estimated by weight proportion and presented with standard errors and chi-square.

                Results The lifetime and 12-month prevalence of any mental or substance use disorders were 30.8% and 13.4% respectively. Alcohol use disorders were the highest prevalence, 18.0% for lifetime prevalence and 5.3% for 12-month prevalence. The 12-month prevalence of anxiety disorders, impulse control disorders and affective disorder were 1.6%, 1.3% and 0.7%, respectively. During the last 12-month, only 11.5% of respondents with any mental, substance use disorders or mental health problems accessed to any services with 3.7% receiving care from health professionals. The respondents with drug use disorders was the most access (24.5%), while those with alcohol use disorders were the least access (6.6%) to any services.

                Conclusion Mental disorders, including drug and alcohol use disorders, and mental health problems are still major public health problems in Thailand with the evidences of an expansive gap in access to services. The mental health care should be urgently strategized and prioritized in the policy level.