Risk Factors Leading to Mental Illness among Patients: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: Mental disorder is a psychological factor reflected in the behavior, which affect the normal

development of a person’s culture. The burden of mental health problems is increasing globally. Most mental

disorders are result of a combination of several different factors rather than just a single factor. Knowing the

risk factors leading to mental illness, may help in future to reduce the incidences of mental illness by taking

possible preventive measures.

Aim: The main aim of this study was to determine the risk factors leading to mental illness among patients.

Materials and Method: Case control study design with quantitative non experimental descriptive survey

approach was used .Mini mental status examination tool was used to select 100 psychiatric patients based on

inclusion criteria and 100 general populations to find the odds ratio. Data was collected using a demographic

proforma and risk factors assessment check list.

Results: In biological, socioeconomic, environmental, psychological and personal factors, the highest value

of the odds ratio of risk factors for mental illness is sleep disturbance (16.385), financial problems (3.149),

slum area (3.162), feeling of loneliness (13.821) and chronic smoking (16.116) respectively; it is higher

among patient with mental illness compared to the general population.

Conclusion: Most of the subjects are having one or other risk factors for developing mental illness. Hence

we need to take care about risk factors and maintain good lifestyle to promote optimal mental health.