Primary mental health care in rural Punjab, Pakistan: Providers, and user perspectives of the effectiveness of treatments

Neuro-psychiatric disorders are associated with a considerable burden of disease, not only globally, but also in low- and middle-income countries. Epidemiological information about treatment of these disorders is required to help formulate treatment and prevention strategies. The aim of this study was to describe different types of mental health care providers, and examine patients’ knowledge of the treatments and their views about its effectiveness in rural Punjab, Pakistan. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of attenders at a 1-day psychiatric consultation clinic in rural Punjab, Pakistan. Patients sought help from five different types of providers and were treated with physical, psychotherapeutic and spiritual treatments. Most recognised psychiatric problems as treatable. There was a discrepancy between belief and knowledge of the treatment of mental disorders; most had a very basic understanding of treatment. They reported general practitioner (GP) treatments as more effective (56%) compared to other practitioners (20%).