National sample survey organization survey report: An estimation of prevalence of mental illness and its association with age in India

BACKGROUND: The Indian population suffers with significant burden of mental illness. The prevalence rate and its association with age and other demographic indicators are needed for planning purpose. OBJECTIVE: This study attempted to calculate age-wise prevalence of mental illness for rural and urban settings, and its association with age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data published in National Sample Survey Organization (2002) report on disability is used for the analysis. Spearman correlation for strength of association, z-test for difference in prevalence, and regression statistics for predicting the prevalence rate of mental illness are used. RESULT: Overall population have 14.9/1000 prevalence of mental illness. It is higher in rural setting 17.1/1000 than urban 12.7/1000 (P < 0.001). There is a strong correlation found with age in rural (ϱ = 0.910, P = 0.001) and urban (ϱ = 0.940, P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Results of this study confirm other epidemiological research in India. Large-population epidemiological studies are recommended.