The physical and social associations of common mental disorder in a tribal population in South India

Background Previous studies have shown high prevalence rates of Common Mental Disorder (CMD) in developing countries, however few have studied its relationship with physical morbidity. Aims To examine the association between CMD and anaemia, malnutrition and physical symptoms. Method Outpatients attending a hospital for tribal people in Kerala, India were interviewed to collect information on demographic characteristics, physical symptoms and life events. They were weighed and measured and their haemoglobin concentration was measured. Associations between these data and Self Report Questionnaire (SRQ) score were examined. Results Multivariate analysis showed high SRQ score was associated with more physical symptoms, being female, no education and more life events in the past year. Conclusions The main associations of CMD are social. The association with physical symptoms may also be socially mediated.