Common mental disorders in Malaysia: Malaysian mental health survey, 2003–2005

Introduction: Mental disorders are emerging as serious health threats in both developed and developing nations and contribute to greater Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY) than infectious disease and unintentional injuries. This study aims to determine the prevalence and factors associated with the presence of common mental disorders in the Malaysian population. Methods: Multistage cluster sampling method was used to obtain samples, with racial proportion as the main sampling criteria. Required sample size was calculated to be 4300 at 90% confidence level. Trained enumerators carried out the interview, with the Clinical Interview Scheduled- Revised (CIS-R). Results: A total of 3666 respondents were interviewed (85% response rate). The one-week prevalence of Common Mental Disorders was 5.3% (95% CI of 4.57‐6.03%). Findings from multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that associated factors were female gender (adjusted OR = 1.91, P < 0.01), being divorced (adjusted OR = 3.95, P < 0.05), difficulties at workplaces (adjusted OR = 3.58, P < 0.01) experiencing life events, such as divorce/marital separation (adjusted OR = 2.58,P < 0.01), unsolvable financial problems (adjusted OR = 3.87, P < 0.01), and serious problems with friends and neighbours (adjusted OR = 4.35, P < 0.01) in the year prior to data collection. Chinese ethnicity was least likely to be associated with CMD (adjusted OR = 0.27). Discussion: There is a 5% prevalence of Common Mental Disorders in the Malaysian population. Socio-demographic factors and experience of certain life events, particularly divorce, problems with neighbours and friends and severe financial problems in the previous year were found to be significantly associated with the prevalence of common mental disorders.