The prevalence and correlates of common mental disorders in Dakahlia Governorate (Egypt)

Background: Epidemiological studies of the prevalence of mental disorders in Egypt are rare and are needed for planning of health care delivery. Objective: to estimate the one year prevalence of common mental disorders in Dakahlia Governorate and its impact on disability and quality of life. Method: Using an Epidemiological sample frame, a random sample of 810 household adults (age 15-65 both sexes) in urban and rural areas were interviewed using the short Arabic form of the Present State Examination 10 th revision (PSE-10). The level of disability and quality of life were also measured. Results: 64% of the sample were males, 63% resided in rural areas. A one year prevalence of mood (4.8%), anxiety (4.3%) somatoform and dissociative (1.4%) and psychotic (0.6%) disorders was found. A further 6.3%of the sample had subclinical symptoms. Females were more likely to have mental disorders than males (OR = 1.8). Th e quality of life and disability scores were significantly different in cases than in non cases (p<0.001). Conclusion: A representative randomized sample from 27sites in Dakahlia shows a prevalence of 10.6% of common mental disorders with significant disability and effect on the QOL.