Epidemiological of Mental Disorders in teenagers of 15 and higher in Rural Areas of Birjand City in 2011

Epidemiological study of mental disorders is essential for estimating mental health burden, prevalence of mental disorders and health needs, the aim of this study was to determine epidemiological of mental disorders in teenagers of 15 and higher in rural areas of Birjand city in 2011. In this cross-sectional study selected 504 persons 15 years and older by systematic random sampling from rural areas of Birjand city. Data collection instrument was ScL90-R that reliability was 0.88, by using of Cronbach Alpha coefficient. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 15 and Chi-Square statistical tests at 0.05 significant levels. According to the results 154 (30.6%) cases had mental disorders. Prevalence of mental disorders was significantly higher in female than male, and in divorcees and widows than married women (p<0.05). However there were no significant differences in age categories and household size. Prevalence of mental disorders in rural areas of Birjand city is higher than other parts of the country, and need attention and accomplishment of rural mental health plan to prevent and treat neurological and psychiatric disorders.