PREVALENCE OF PSYCHIATRIC-DISORDERS IN RURAL SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Objective: To determine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and us e of medical services in a South Australian rural community. Design: S urvey based on structured self-administered questionnaires. Setting: R iverland region of South Australia, between May and November, 1991. Su bjects: A probability sample of 1009 residents (71.1%) response strati fied for age and sex (with replacement) aged 18 years and over from th e State electoral roll. Outcome measures: DSM-III-R-defined psychiatri c disorders diagnosed by means of the University of Washington's Diagn ostic Interview Schedule Screening Instrument (DISSI), physical disord ers and use of health and allied services. Results: Twenty-six percent had at least one psychiatric disorder in the six months before interv iew: Prevalence did not differ with sex or age, but was higher in the unemployed (P = 0.0001). Those with a current psychiatric disorder wer e significantly more likely to report a lifetime physical disorder (P = 0.0001). The most common disorders were major depression and dysthym ia (10.8%), anxiety disorder (9.8%), phobic disorder (7.8%), alcohol a buse and dependence (7.0%) and somatisation syndrome (5.3%). During th e year before interview and 8.5% of those diagnosed with a current psy chiatric disorder had consulted a general practitioner and 4.2% a psyc hiatrist or psychologist. Conclusion: The prevalence of psychiatric di sorders in the Riverland region was comparatively high. General practi tioners were the primary care-providers for those with psychiatric dis orders. These issues need to be addressed by service providers and hea lth planners.