An Epidemiological Survey of Major Mental Disorders in a rural Korea

In July and August 1979. an epidemiological survey was conducted using the census visit method in order to determine the prevalence rate and ecological aspects of 5 major mental illnesses (schizoph· renia, manic·depressive illness, epilepsy, mental retardation and senile psychosis) in Ko·Jae Island where the total population was 112. 782. Following results were obtained: }. The prevalence rate for schizophrenia. manic-depressive illness, epilepsy. mental retardation and senile psychosis were O. 14%. 0.013%. O. 10%. O. 10 %. 0.03% of population respectively. 2. 65.6% of schizophrenics. 66.7% of rnanic-depressive illness patients and 76.9% of epileptics had suffered for more than 5 years. 3. The mixed body type was dominant in number both in schizophrenia and manic·depressive illness. 4. The familial history was found in 13.0% of schizophrenics and 26.7% of manic-depressive illness patients. 5. In therapy. 49.1% of epileptics take anticonvulsant and 37% of schizophrenics and 33. 3% of manicdepressive illness patients were left alone without custodial cares