ASSESSMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH IN A COMMUNITY SAMPLE FROM GILGIT-BALTISTAN PAKISTAN: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Objective:

This study was conducted to explore and compare the level of mental health in all the districts of Gilgit Baltistan (GB).

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Based at CMH Gilgit, all districts of GB were visited between Mar and Dec 2016.

Material and Methods:

Data were collected from consenting adults in community setting by administering mental health inventory (MHI). Data were compared with the population mean and inter-district comparisons were performed.

Results:

A total of 370 (186 males) participants, age ranging from 17 to 80 years (M = 28.54 ± 11.27). Out of these, 240 (64.8%) were married and their education levels ranged from 5 to 16 years of schooling. Males (t=4.5, p<0.001) & married participants (t=2-07, p<0.05) reported better mental health. Participants’ living district (F=1.8, p=09), education level (F=1.1, p=0.3), and their age (r=0.04, p=3) did not influence their reported level of mental health.

Conclusion:

Community members in GB had good level of mental health irrespective of their living area, education, and age. However, their gender and marital status influenced their mental health.