HEALTH SEEKING BEHAVIOR OF PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS AT AN OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: Mental and psychological disorders are responsible for significant morbidity and disability worldwide. Results of World Mental Health Consortium demonstrate that common mental disorders are highly prevalent globally. Only a limited proportion of patients with psychiatric disorders attend the healthcare facilities, in severe condition. Treatment by unqualified medical practitioners and faith healers is a common practice, which significantly delay the proper treatment.
Methods: We conducted this survey at the psychiatry OPD at Jinnah Hospital Lahore from March 2015 to May 2015. 1000 study subjects of 14 -70 years of age from both genders were enrolled for this study randomly, who sought psychiatric opinion for first time.
Results: One hundred patients were examined, mean age of subjects was 31 years (SD + 15.02), with 53.0% females. More patients (60.0%) were first time recognized by their family members, remaining sought treatment by themselves. As per history 42.4% patients had consulted to Qualified Medical General Practioners, 19.9% to Piers, 12.0% to Religious Clerics and 10.5% to Hakim, Fakir, Malang etc. and only 2.6% consulted to psychotherapist.
Conclusion: It is concluded that in our setting psychiatric illnesses are always recognized late and medical practitioners do not bother to obtain consultative opinion from psychotherapist.