Integration of mental health care into primary care - Demonstration cost-outcome study in India and Pakistan

Background Targeting resources on cost-effective care strategies is importa nt For the global mental health burden. Aims To demonstrate cost-outcome methods in the evaluation of mental health care programmes in low-income countries. Method Four rural populations were screened fbr psychiatric morbidity. Indi viduals with a diagnosed common mental disorder were invited to seek treatm ent, and assessed prospectively on symptoms, disability, quality of life an d resource use. Results Between 12% and 39% of the four screened populations had a diagnosa ble common mental disorder. In three of the four localities there were impr ovements over time in symptoms. disability and quality of life, while total economic costs were reduced. Conclusion Economic analysis of mental health care in low-income countries is feasible and practicable. Our assessment of the cost-effectiveness of in tegrating mental health into primary care was confounded by the naturalisti c study design and the low proportion of subjects using government primary health care services. Declaration of interest The study was funded by the Department for Internat ional Development, UK (HP-ACORD Small Project Grant RD 463).