Abstract
Purpose
Data on mental disorder prevalence and health service utilization required to inform healthcare management and planning are lacking in Hong Kong. The current study determined the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMD), and examined the patterns of mental health service utilization and associated factors.
Methods
We analyzed data from the Hong Kong Mental Morbidity Survey (HKMMS) of 5,719 Chinese adults aged 16–75 years in the general Hong Kong population, using the Chinese Revised Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R).
Results
The weighted prevalence estimate for any past-week CMD was 13.3 %, with mixed anxiety and depressive disorder being the most frequent diagnoses. CMD was positively associated with female gender, being divorced or separated, alcohol misuse, substance dependence, lack of regular physical exercise, and a family history of mental disorder. Among individuals with CMD, only 26 % had consulted mental health services in the past year; less than 10 % consulted general practitioners or family physicians. Lack of mental health service usage was significantly more likely in men and those with lower educational attainment.
Conclusions
Apart from attention to psychosocial risks, health and lifestyle factors are important considerations for mental health promotion. Service utilization for individuals with CMD in Hong Kong remains suboptimal, and would be enhanced by strengthening community primary care.
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Acknowledgments
The Hong Kong Mental Morbidity Survey is a commissioned project supported by the Health and Health Services Research Fund (Ref: 09101601), Food and Health Bureau, Hong Kong SAR Government. We would like to thank the participants for their enthusiastic support to this survey.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
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HKMMS team researchers (in alphabetical order)
HKMMS team researchers (in alphabetical order)
Chario C.C. Chan1, L.K. Chan2, W.H. Cheung2, Patricia W.Y. Choi2, Kavin K.W. Chow3, Paulina P.L. Chow3, Jackie C.K. Fu3, Ada W.T. Fung4, Karen S.Y. Hung3, C.S. Kan5, Condy H.S. Kwan2, Gary K.W. Lau6, Allen T.C. Lee6, Grace T.Y. Leung6, Joey S.Y. Leung2, Bonnie W.M. Siu3, Winki W.K. Tai6, Fiona Y.K. Tam7, Victoria W.K. Tang3, C.K. Tung3, Candy H.Y. Wong6, Amy S.W. Yeung3, Zoe H.S. Yu2.
1. Department of Psychiatry, Shatin Hospital, Hong Kong SAR.
2. Department of Psychiatry, Kwai Chung Hospital, Hong Kong SAR.
3. Department of Psychiatry, Castle Peak Hospital, Hong Kong SAR.
4. Department of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR.
5. Department of Psychiatry, Kowloon Hospital, Hong Kong SAR.
6. Department of Psychiatry, Tai Po Hospital, Hong Kong SAR.
7. Department of Psychiatry, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR.
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Lam, L.CW., Wong, C.SM., Wang, MJ. et al. Prevalence, psychosocial correlates and service utilization of depressive and anxiety disorders in Hong Kong: the Hong Kong Mental Morbidity Survey (HKMMS). Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 50, 1379–1388 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-015-1014-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-015-1014-5