Epidemiology of neurotic disorders among Alexandria University students: a case history study; Part I: Personal and social characteristics

ABSTRACT

The index sample was all neurotic patients who attended the Alexandria University Students Hospital during the scholastic year 1978-79 [n=300]. The control group was chosen at random from students thudding ENT and Ophthalmic Clinics [n=300]. The aim of this work is to study the personal, medical and socio-economic aspects of neurotic disorders among University Students attending the University Student Hospital. The study reveals the following - The mean age of student in the index sample was significantly elder than that for their control. - Male were more encountered in the index than the control. - Neurotic students tended to be more from rural areas. - The mean age of the student's father and mother in the index sample was significantly elder than the control. - Neurotic students' parents were more likely to be illiterate than educated and working as semi-skilled workers. - The parent relation of neurotic students tended to be rated as bad or very bad compared to their control. The mean family size of index sample was larger than the control sample. - More members of index sample stated a positive history of physical illness and positive family psychiatric disorder history