Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Mentally ill Patients Admitted to Different Hospitals of Dhaka City

Abstract

Introduction: Mental health is essentially as important as the physical health required of an individual to maintain. There are many factors that seem to play a role in the genesis of mental illness.Objective: This study was conducted among the mentally ill patients admitted to four hospitals of Dhaka city with a view to find out their socio demographic characteristics of mental illness.Materials and Methods: It was a descriptive type of cross sectional study. A total number of 81 patients and their near relatives were interviewed at four medical institutions through a structured questionnaire. A checklist was used for clinical diagnosis of the patients. A master sheet was prepared followed by questionnaire plotting all the information. Then data were analyzed according to objectives and necessary tables were prepared accordingly by case appropriate variables of the study using Microsoft office program.Results: The study results showed that 81.49% patients were male and 18.51% patients were female. Of the total patients 71.61% were found in the age group of unto 30 years. Maximum patients (61.73%) were found within the monthly family income of BDT 2500/- to 4500/- only. 53.03% of patients were married followed by 39.51% of unmarried. The study revealed that 58.02% patients hailed from urban area. 61.73% patients were educated up to secondary level and only 8.64% patients were illiterate. Regarding occupation 27.17% patients were cultivator and 16.05% were students. The study reflected that 48.15% patients were smokers and very few (6.17%) were drug drug addicts. 61.73% patients were living in joint families.50.62% patients did not receive treatment prior to admission. Of the total 49.38% treated cases (prior to admission), 25% cases were treated from the homeopath and only 25% were consulted with specialist.Conclusion: The lower and middle socio economic group and literate group from urban areas living in joint family suffered more from mental illness. There is need for appropriate policy to address the problems of families with mentally ill patients at the family and community levels.Journal of Armed Forces Medical College Bangladesh Vol.10(2) 2014

Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of adults under involuntary hospitalization in the acute mental health services of Cyprus

“…However, in one study in Bangladesh the majority of those under compulsory treatment (53.1%) were married 48 .…”

“…Special focus needs to be given in the sub-group of individuals with psychotic symptoms, and mainly schizophrenia and relevant psychotic disorders. Overall, the present study confirmed previous data which show that those with schizophrenia and relevant psychotic disorders are more often involuntary hospitalized 27−38 . Furthermore, additional emphasis needs to be given on educational programmes in pharmacotherapy and treatment options in order to enhance adherence to therapy, since the main cause of relapse herein as well as internationally seems to be non-adherence to pharmacotherapy 27 − 31,39−40 . As for other risk factors for involuntary admission and subsequent compulsory treatment, male gender has been well documented in international literature 3,[28][29][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][50][51] . Yet, other studies present data which report increased frequency of compulsory treatment among females 9,30,[52][53]55 .…”

“…Overall, education in professional skills and the necessity for effective vocational rehabilitation programmes needs to be a priority for healthcare systems, since there are data which show that unemployment is a severe stressor in people with mental health problems. Indeed, unemployed with financial problems seem to be more frequently involuntary admitted for compulsory treatment 3,9,[27][28]30,33,36,48,56 . In contrary, there are two studies, one in Brazil and one in Cline, which show that the majority of those involuntary admitted for compulsory treatment were employed females 52 − 53 .…”

“…In the present study the majority of the participants were in the age group of 45 to 65 years, while other studies provide a range closer to 45 years 29,37,43−44,47−48 . At the same time, there studies which support an age range between 20 to 29 years for those more frequently involuntary admitted for compulsory treatment, while the age group 41-50 years to include those less frequently involuntary hospitalized 30,48 . This may indicate a late diagnosis of severe mental health problems which may lead to critical escalation of the severity of symptoms thus leading the young to be more frequently involuntary hospitalized.…”

Socio-Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Adults With Psychotic Symptomatology Under Involuntary Admission and Readmission for Compulsory Treatment in a Referral Psychiatric Hospital in Cyprus

“…Indeed, international literature poses singles with no supportive family or social network in increased risk for compulsory treatment ( 2 , 3 , 14 , 47 , 48 ). However, one study in Bangladesh showed that the majority of those under compulsory treatment (53.1%) were married ( 49 ).…”