Psychiatric morbidity among women living in the general population in Malaysia

Abstract

The 30-item version of General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) (Goldberg, 1972) was administered to 1498 women living in George Town, Pulau Pinang and Kuala Muda, Kedah. A stratified random sampling method was used to select respondents. In all, 21.76% of the study subjects scored 4 and above on the GHQ indicating them as probable cases of neurosis. The occupational background of the sample revealed women working as labourers and machine operators as under higher risk of developing mental health problems. Similarly, non-literate and less-educated women also indicated higher risk of developing mental health problems. The implications of these observations for related policy matters are discussed in detail.