Offering Mental Health Services in a Conflict Affected Region of Pakistan: Who Comes, and Why?

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0097939
• Publication Date: 2014-06-25T20:17:41Z
• Authors: Safieh Shah; Rafael Van den Bergh; Benedicte Van Bel...; Nathalie Severy; Sana Sadiq; Sher Ali Afridi; Asma Akhtar; Jacob Maïkére; Catherine Van Ove...; Saeed-ur-Rehman; Tahir Bashir-ud-D...; Saleem-ur-Rehman; Johan van Griensven; Serge Schneider; Philippe Bosman; Erwin Lloyd D. Gu...; Francesca Dazzi; Rony Zachariah
• Keywords: Depression

Background North West Pakistan is an area ravaged by conflict and population displacement for over three decades. Recently, drone attacks military operations have aggravated underlying mental disorders, while access to care limited. Among patients attending a health clinic integrated in district hospital conducted psychologists; we describe service utilization, patient characteristics, presenting complaints, morbidity patterns, follow-up details. Methodology/Principal Findings A retrospective study using routinely collected programme data was from February December 2012. total of 1545 consultations were 928 (86% females). There 71(8%) children adolescents. An increase observed July, followed decline. 163 new (18%) on psychotropic medication at presentation. The most common females (36%) symptoms adjustment disorders acute reactions. Depression anxiety both genders post traumatic disorder frequent males (21%). Out the patients, 639(69%) had follow up visit planned with their psychologist, but only 220(34%) returned visit. Conclusion In hospital, services managed psychologists well attended. need consider widening current package cater diversity gender difference, Standardized diagnostic monitoring tools would also be adapted accordingly assess progress. Innovative approaches tackle problem low return rate are needed.