Understanding about mental illness among population and attitude to patient with mental illness / Монголын Анагаах Ухаан

Introduction. Stigma and discrimination against patients with mental illness is very common amongst the society. Therefore, this study aims to study the knowledge and understanding of mental illness and attitudes to patient with mental illness, among the general population.Goal. To assess the knowledge and understanding of mental illness and attitude to patient with mental illness among population of Ulaanbaatar city and compare its results with a similar research in carried out in 2002.Methods. The study was conducted in Ulaanbaatar city from February to April, 2008 and included 991 people aged over 18 years. The sample was selected from 30 micro districts of Ulaanbaatar city, The method of sampling was using primary dot in first step, sampling households in mid step and selecting people by using method of Sweden key from household in final step. The study used 30 item standardized questionnaires. Also there were 2 extra cards to read for respondents.Result. Among the respondents, 45% were males and 55 % females. Average age was 37 years. In view of identifying negative attitude of patient with schizophrenia, majority of respondents answered as “loony person” (n=136) and “mad person” (n=83). Conclusion. Although there was stigma amongst the study population, 66% of subjects who were involved in study could give right diagnosis in non professional level and were able to identify symptoms of mental illness suggesting that more than half of the sample studied had some knowledge of mental illness.

Result of survey on determining the cognitive ability among mongolian elderly / Монголын Анагаах Ухаан

Background: In our country, the survey on mental condition of Mongolian elderly, in particularly on assessing the cognitive status has not provided yet. Goal: To determine the cognitive status of elderly and find out some factors which affect on it. Objectives:1. Determine the cognitive ability of Mongolian elderly2. Find out some factors which affect the cognitive ability of elderlyMaterials and Methods: In this cross sectional study, we had chosen randomizily 1 cluster from each 4 economic and geographic regions of Mongolia and Ulaanbaatar city, and totally comprised of 1207 elderly, of which 60 and over for male and 55 and over for female. The cognitive status of survey involved elderly was evaluated by mini mental examination test (MMET).Results: The mean age of survey involved elderly was 68.1±8.1 (68.9±6.5 in male and 65.7±8.5 in female). While 60.3(728) percent of elderly people were normal, 39.7(479) percent of them estimated to have cognitive decline. Out of elderly with cognitive decline, 59.5 percent had slight cognitive impairment, 35.1 percent moderate cognitive impairment and rest 5.4 percent had severe cognitive impairment. The cognitive impairment predominantly revealed in female and prevailed more in elderly who live in countryside compared to elderly who live in the city (P<0.001). The cognitive impairment was related to educational background of elderly who had cognitive decline. Along the decline of education estimated higher level of cognitive impairment, as well as 47.5 percent of male and 53.8 percent of female, who had lower education, shared most percentage of cognitive impairment, compared to other educational levels.The cognitive impairment is directly correlated to decline of Activity of daily living and Instrumental activity of daily living of elderly (p<0,0001).Conclusions:1. The decline of cognitive status of elderly is correlated to gender. The educational background, income and family are related to their cognitive impairment.2. Activity of daily living and Instrumental activity of daily living have direct correlation to cognitive impairment of elderly.

Result of correlation of depression and other diseases among mongolian elderly / Монголын Анагаах Ухаан

Background: Our research team aimed at determining the prevalence of depression and mutual interaction of other diseases among elderly in today’s changing period of morbidity of population due to social and economic transition.Goal: To determine the correlation between depression and other diseases among elderlyObjectives:1. To determine the prevalence of depression among elderly2. To find out the correlation between depression and other diseasesMaterials and method: The research was carried out by cross sectional method. In the research was involved 1207 elderly, who are retired, of which 60 and over for male and 55 and over for female from one cluster of each economic and geographic regions of Mongolia. The depression was evaluated by using Geriatric Depression Scale.Results: In the research was involved 392 (32.5 percent) men, 675 (67.5 percent) women and their mean age was 68.1±8.1 (68.9±6.5 in male and 65.7±8.5 in female) from 4 economic and geographic regions of Mongolia. Among survey involved elderly, 16.5 (199) percent of them were found to have depression. Out of survey involved depressed elderly, 27.6 percent were male and 72.3 percent female. The mean age of depressed elderly was 67.9, in which 67.1 in women and 70.2 in men. Due to depression status among survey involved elderly, the share of elderly, who inclined to affect by depression was 158 (13.1%). Furthermore, 169 (14%) of them were affected by slight depression, while 30 (2.5%) of them were with severe depression.Among survey involved elderly, 24.5 percent of elderly with anxiety were inclined to be affected by depression and 29.2 percent of them were with mildly depression. However, 5.6 percent of elderly with severely level of anxiety were affected by severe depression. It was not found severe depressed elderly among elderly, who did not have anxiety. The depression of elderly and their morbidity has direct correlation. Elderly depression and anxiety has direct medium correlation.Conclusions:1. The prevalence of depression among Mongolian elderly refers 16.5 percent.2. Depression among Mongolian elderly has direct correlation to some investigated somatic diseases.

Results of determining psychosocial rehabilitation needs of Mongolian elderly / Монголын Анагаах Ухаан

Introduction: The mental and behavioral diseases affect in loneliness and discrimination of elderly people and mostly reduce the quality of life of elderly people compared to injury and accidence. Wulf Rossler, Switzerland mentioned that all kinds of mental diseases require long term care, especially rehabilitation. In our country, we lack of survey on determining psychosocial rehabilitation needs for the elderly, therefore it became the background of the research. Goal: Determine the psychosocial rehabilitation needs of Mongolian elderly people Method and materials: The research was carried out by cross sectional method. In the research was involved 1207 elderly, who are retired, of which 60 and over for male and 55 and over for female from one cluster of each economic and geographic regions of Mongolia. The research was conducted by using Geriatric depression test, Spielberg Hanin test to reveal anxiety, Mini mental examination test to assess the cognitive status and AUDIT test to evaluate the alcohol usage. The diagnoses were put according to ICD-10 based on geriatric examination. Results: Out of survey involved 1207 elderly, 32.5 percent (392) referred to men, 67.5 percent (815) to women, and their mean age was 68.1±8.1 (68.9±6.5 in male and 65.7±8.5 in female). While 473 elderly were from Ulaanbaatar city, 734 of them were from 4 regions of countryside. In terms of mental and behavioral diseases, anxiety and depression were prevailing among Mongolian elderly. Thirty eight point five percent of survey involved elderly investigated to have depression and 44 percent - anxiety. Moreover, dementia was found 36 and sleep disorder 28 per 1000 elders. Twenty three point six percent of elderly had slight cognitive impairment, 13.9 percent moderate cognitive impairment, while 2.1 percent had severe cognitive impairment. The cognitive impairment is differed in terms of region. The moderate cognitive impairment predominantly revealed in mountainous and eastern regions, while the severe cognitive impairment was prevailing in central and eastern regions. Due to classification of needs of elderly into medical, financial and other needs, found that, 37 percent of elderly required medical, 33 percent financial and 37 percent other needs. In terms of psychosocial needs, 30.4 percent wanted to have a place for spending free time, 23.9 percent to make new friends and 6.1 percent to hire a job. Also 4.4 percent of elderly had a need of having a caregiver. Conclusions: 1. Out of mental and behavioral diseases, anxiety (38.5 percent) and depression (44 percent) were prevailing among elderly. 2. Each Mongolian elderly had need of 1-2 psychosocial needs. 3. All kinds of psychosocial rehabilitation including the medical, adaptation enhancing and social rehabilitation are equally required for the elderly people.

Results of determining some needs of rehabilitation care requirred to elderly of Mongolia / Монголын Анагаах Ухаан

Introduction: The issue of meeting need of rehabilitation care service required to elders is one of determinants which influences in enabling quality of life of elderly people. In our country, we lack of survey on determining current need of long term care and one of its form rehabilitation care service for the elderly, so it became the background of the research. Goal: Reveal some needs of rehabilitation care service through determining the Activities of daily living and Instrumental Activities of daily living of Mongolian elderly people Materials and Method: The research was carried out by cross sectional method. In the research was involved 1207 elderly, who are retired, of which 60 and over for male and 55 and over for female from one cluster of each economic and geographic regions of Mongolia. The research was conducted by using ADL and IADL tests as well as questionnaire to determine the needs of rehabilitation care service. Results: Out of survey involved 1207 elderly, 32.5 percent (392) referred to men, 67.5 percent (815) to women, and their mean age was 68.1±8.1 (68.9±6.5 in male and 65.7±8.5 in female). While 473 elderly were from Ulaanbaatar city, 734 of them were from 4 regions of countryside. Among survey involved elderly, the mean of ADL ability was 87.4 percent, of which, the following abilities were better such as: continence (92.5%), toileting (91.3%), dressing (87.9%), while bathing ability was impaired mostly or 18.2 percent. Subsequently, the mean of IADL ability among survey involved elderly was found to be 29.9 percent. The health needs of elderly were differed. Due to extensive indicator, 24.8 percent of elderly wanted to admit in a hospital, 20.8 percent - home nursing care and 32.6 percent -involvement in rehabilitation care service. In terms of amount, the maximum needs were eight, while most of elderly requested 1-3 kinds of needs. Conclusions: 1. The impairment of Activity of Daily Living was found to be approximately 22.6 percent, while Instrumental Activity of Daily Living was 29.9 percent among Mongolian elderly people. 2. The impairment level of Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living indicated the requirement of occupational and physical therapy in health care service for the elderly.

Mental health in Mongolia.

Mongolia is a country with an approximate area of 1.5 million km2. Its population is 2.5 million, nearly 90% of whom are ethnically Mongolian. Khalkh Mongols form the largest subgroup (approximately 79% of the population); the next largest subgroup is the Kazakhs (5.3%), followed by smaller groups such as Tuvins, Uzbeks, Uighurs, Russian and Chinese. The population is young, with 35.9% under the age of 15 years. The official language is Mongolian. Just under half the population live in rural areas and around a fifth live a nomadic life. About 80% of the land area is suitable for agriculture, mostly for animal husbandry.