ObjectiveTo clarify the epidemiological characteristics of patients with mental disorders and provide evidence for developing effective intervention protocols in communities.

MethodsWe characterized the epidemiological data of community-based patients with mental disorders, classified and analyzed the demographic data of schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, epilepsia-caused mental disorder, and mental retardation in Minhang District.

ResultsUp to September 2016, a total of 8 972 patients with mental disorders were registered in this district, with a point prevalence of 3.53/10³ and the male-to-female ratio of 1:1. The medical expenses were mainly covered by basic medical insurance for urban workers, new rural cooperative medical system, and basic medical insurance for urban residents. The ratio of the unmarried to the married was 0.97:1. The patients graduated from junior high school accounted for 34.6%, primary school for 25.1%, illiteracy and semi-illiteracy for 18.8%, senior high school and professional school for 18.1%, and college and above for 3.4%. Of 8 972 patients, four major disorders accounted for 89.1%, including 4 282 schizophrenia patients, 3 088 patients with mental retardation, 416 patients with epilepsia-caused mental disorder, and 208 patients with bipolar affective disorder. The distribution of sex, age, educational level, marriage status, medical expense, and socioeconomic status were different among the patients with mental disorders of different types.

ConclusionMental disorders especially schizophrenia and mental retardation are the major public health concerns in communities. Distinct mental disorders have different demographic characteristics and should be cared with individualized approaches in the community-based management.