Epidemiology of Mental Disorders in High-School Students in Rafsanjan

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of mental disorders among high school students in the city of Rafsanjan in the academic year 2001-2002, and to assess the re- lated demographic factors. 830 students were selected through multistage cluster sampling and their mental health status was assessed by SCL-90-R and for suspicious cases of psychiatric disorders, the symptoms were recorded by a psychiatrist in a questionnaire according to DSM-IV. To determine the cut off point, 120 students (3 clusters, 40 students each) were evaluated and interviewed by a psychiatrist. Regarding the cut off point of 63, 176 students scored above the cut off point 17 were healthy according to clinical interview and 21 students dropped out regardless of several follow-ups. Thus, finally 138 students were interviewed and diagnosed by a psychiatrist. The overall prevalence of mental disorders was 16.6% (females 21.6%, males 10.6%). The most common mental disorders were anxiety and mood disorders (8.4% and 4.1%, respectively). Mental disorders were common among high school students in Rafsanjan and there was a significant correlation between the prevalence of mental disorders and some demographic variables such as gender, family history of mental disorders, family history of divorce and drug abuse and type of residence.