Epidemiological survey of mental disorders and knowledge attitude practice upon mental health among people in Bangkok Metropolis.

To find the prevalence of 8 mental disorders and study knowledge, attitude, practice (KAP) upon mental health among people in Bangkok Metropolis a cross sectional, descriptive community survey was conducted. Two thousand, nine hundred and forty eight samples aged 15-60 years were selected by a multistage simple random sampling technique. Data collection was made by qualified interviewers who had experience in mental health care and had been trained to use the questionaires. The questionaires had been modified from DSM-IV and CIDI that had been tested for good validity and reliability. The survey methodology was divided into 2 stages, screening and diagnosis. The results showed that the life time prevalence of mental disorders were; schizophrenia (1.3%), mood disorders; manic episode (9.3%), major depressive episode (19.9%), dysthymia (1%), anxiety disorders (10.2%), mental retardation (1.8%), epilepsy (1.3%), suicidal idea (7.1%), drug and substances use disorders (11.2%), and alcohol use disorders (18.4%). Knowledge score was good, attitude was fairly good, practice was still weak in promotion and prevention aspects. As such, this study was used as a pattern to conduct a national survey in 14 provinces all over Thailand and the results are being summarized. The information is similar to the Global Burden of Diseases. We produced a national training program on "Detection and Management of Depression" for Primary Care Physicians that was, a 2 days' workshop. Other national programs promoting prevention and control have also been set up.