The rate of mental disorders case finding after implementing the family physician program in rural areas of Isfahan province, Iran

Abstract

Background: Health Sector Reform (HSR) has been implemented in Islamic Republic of Iran since 2005 in rural, nomadic, and urban areas with population of less than 20 thousands, called Family Physician Program. One of the main objectives of this program is improvement of the accessibility and utilization rate of primary health cares. This study carried out to evaluate the case-finding rate of mental disorders after implementing this program. Methods: In a cross-sectional study in Isfahan province, Iran, the data of the patients received mental health services during the period 2008-2015 were collected. After summarizing and providing mental health indicators in accordance with the objectives of the program, the results of these indicators were compared with expected country indicators provided by the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education. Findings: In that interval, the mean case finding rates of severe mental disorders, mild mental disorders, epilepsy, mental retardation, and behavioral disorders were 1.59, 6.37, 2.89, 2.87, and 0.6 per one-thousand population per year, respectively. Conclusion: The case finding rate of severe mental and behavioral disorders were declined after implementing Health Sector Reform in rural areas of Isfahan province compared to the expected country indicators and also before Health Sector Reform. © 2017, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.