Characteristics of mental morbidity in a rural primary heath centre of haryana.

The prevalence of mental morbidity including comorbidity with physical illnesses in a rural primary health centre is very high. Most common entitites in the diagnostic group according to DSM-IU-R were mood disorders (28%), somatoform disorders (27%), and anxiety disorders (17.6%). Majority of them presented with somatic symptoms. There were significant differences in rates for mental disorders when age (particularly 35-44 years), marital status, types of family, and females operated for tubectomy were analysed. The study emphasises the need for effective mental health care to the rural community through primary health centres.