Stigma and knowledge of depression: a survey comparing medical and non-medical students and staff in Lahore, Pakistan

High rates of depression have been reported in various surveys in Pakistan. However, people have limited knowledge of mental illnesses. There is limited information available on knowledge people have and attitudes they hold towards depression and other mental illnesses. A comparative study of the people's attitudes and knowledge can be a good start to explore this topic further.Aims and To assess and compare the attitudes and knowledge of medical and non medical professionals and students in Lahore, Pakistan. A survey was circulated among the medical students and the doctors of the three medical colleges, as well as the students and teachers of The Punjab University in Lahore, Pakistan. Of the medical group, 294 [59%] of the 500 survey forms sent out were returned, while in non medical group 194 out of 300 [64.66%] survey forms were returned. Fifty percent of the medical students and professionals claimed that they had not heard about depression. A significant proportion of all the people surveyed had a negative attitude towards depressed patients. The psychiatric conditions need a more prominent place in medical education. The educated sections of the Pakistani society need better information about these conditions. Probably lay press and universities need to look into it

Anxiety and depression in pregnant women presenting in the OPD of a teaching hospital

Recent research has shown that psychiatric disorders are more common during pregnancy. This study was done to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression during pregnancy in females presenting in the antenatal clinic. The study also tried to find out risk factors associated with anxiety and depression in pregnancy in the above-mentioned population. Design: This was a descriptive survey of 200 outpatients. Place and duration of study: This study was done in the outpatient's department of Lady Atchison Hospital, Lahore. The study was done from May 2001 to October 2001. Study sample consisted of 200 consecutive outpatients presenting in the antenatal clinic. Pregnant women who agreed to be interviewed were included in the study. Demographic details were noted. PSE was used as an interviewing instrument and ICD-10 was used as diagnostic criteria. According to ICD-10 diagnostic criteria 34.5% of females were suffering from anxiety and 25% were suffering from depression. Young age, loss of parent during childhood, past history of psychiatric illness, family history of psychiatric illness was identified as possible risk factors to develop anxiety and depression during pregnancy. Prevalence of anxiety and depression was similar to many studies reported from the West. Pregnant females with possible risk factors should be specially screened for anxiety and depression. Locally prepared and validated instruments need to be developed for use in Pakistan

Pathways to psychiatric care: a replication of WHO study

To investigate the pathways taken by psychiatric patients to reach mental health services. A descriptive survey of 100 psychiatric out-patients. Out-patients department of Government Mental hospital, Lahore Subjects: One hundred consecutive attenders of out patients department of Government Mental Hospital, Lahore. Main outcome measures: An encounter from was filled for each patient obtaining details of care received before coming to Government Metal Hospital, Lahore. Majority of the patients were young. One third of patient came directly to Government Mental Hospital, Lahore. Other major routes of referral were primary are physician, hospital doctors and faith healers. Delays were longer as compared to all centers in the WHO study. Greater public education is needed about mental health problems and more collaboration is required with primary care physicians and faith healers to prevent delays in the treatment of psychiatric patients