Magnitude of Mental Morbidity and Its Correlates with Special Reference to Household Food Insecurity among Adult Slum Dwellers of Bankura, India: A Cross-Sectional Survey

BACKGROUND: Mental disorders cause considerable morbidity and disability, and there is ample evidence that mental disorders are positively associated with household food insecurity. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted for a period of 2 months at Bakultala slum of Bankura town involving 152 people of ≥18 and ≤60 years of age selected using simple random sampling technique to estimate the prevalence of mental disorders and to find out its correlates. Information pertaining to socio-demographics and household food security (HHFS) and “ potential psychiatric case” were collected through a house to house interview of the head of the household, using predesigned questionnaire, Bengali version of self-reporting questionnaire, and 6-item household food security scale (HFSS). RESULTS: In total, 45% of the study participants belonged to food unsecured households. Overall, 21% of the respondents were identified as “potential psychiatric case,” which was found to be associated with higher age, illiteracy, divorcee female, and people living in households without food security. CONCLUSION: Study results reflecting high prevalence (21%) of “potential psychiatric case” with various correlates such as age, sex, education, marital status, and HHFS among the slum dweller of Bankura town may be helpful in formulating policies for combating mental health morbidities.