Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders in Homeless
Population in Bangkok, Thailand
Tantawan Awirutworakul MD1, Anuk Pitukthanin MA2, Kwanpracha Chiangchaisakulthai MD3,
Cholnapa Anukul BS4, Sakda Arj-Ong Vallibhakara MD, PhD5
Affiliation :
1 Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
2 Mekong Studies Center, Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
3 International Health Policy Program Foundation, Nonthaburi, Thailand
4 Manager; Center of Just Society Network, Bangkok, Thailand
5 Section for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To (cid:976)ind the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the homeless population in Bangkok, Thailand
Materials and Methods: In an epidemiological survey of the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in homeless individuals at
Lan Khon Meaung, Sao Chingcha in Bangkok, Thailand, a probability sample of 113 homeless people were interviewed using a
Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview [MINI].
Results : There was a high prevalence rates of psychiatric disorders among homeless people (76%). The most frequent psychiatric
disorders were major depressive episode (current two weeks prevalence rate 35.7%) psychotic disorders (lifetime prevalence
rate 31.0%), psychotic disorders (current two weeks prevalence rate 23%), alcohol dependence (past 12 months prevalence rate
22.1%), and major depressive episode melancholic features (current two weeks prevalence rate 19.5%). The prevalence of suicidal
risk and two or more psychiatric comorbidities factors in severe psychiatric disorders group were higher than the others, with a
statistical signi(cid:976)icance (p-value 0.003 and 0.001, respectively).
Conclusion : Prevalence of psychiatric disorders in homeless population in Bangkok is higher among the homeless than in the
general population, especially severe psychiatric disorders. An urgent need for adequate medical and psychiatric care and the
development of concepts for rehabilitation should be established.
Keywords : Homeless, Prevalence, Psychiatric disorders, Mental illness, Mental health care system, Rehabilitation
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