PREVALENCE OF PSYCHIATRIC-DISORDERS IN RURAL SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Objective: To determine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and use of medical services in a South Australian rural community. Design: Survey based on structured self-administered questionnaires. Setting: Riverland region of South Australia, between May and November, 1991. Subjects: A probability sample of 1009 residents (71.1%) response stratified for age and sex (with replacement) aged 18 years and over from the State electoral roll. Outcome measures: DSM-III-R-defined psychiatric disorders diagnosed by means of the University of Washington's Diagnostic Interview Schedule Screening Instrument (DISSI), physical disorders and use of health and allied services. Results: Twenty-six percent had at least one psychiatric disorder in the six months before interview: Prevalence did not differ with sex or age, but was higher in the unemployed (P = 0.0001). Those with a current psychiatric disorder were significantly more likely to report a lifetime physical disorder (P = 0.0001). The most common disorders were major depression and dysthymia (10.8%), anxiety disorder (9.8%), phobic disorder (7.8%), alcohol abuse and dependence (7.0%) and somatisation syndrome (5.3%). During the year before interview and 8.5% of those diagnosed with a current psychiatric disorder had consulted a general practitioner and 4.2% a psychiatrist or psychologist. Conclusion: The prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the Riverland region was comparatively high. General practitioners were the primary care-providers for those with psychiatric disorders. These issues need to be addressed by service providers and health planners.