Evaluating determinants of treatment delay and access gaps in common mental disorders across rural versus urban India
Prabhjot Kaur, Tejinder KaurABSTRACT
Aim:
To assess rural–urban differences in treatment delay and treatment access gap among individuals with common mental disorders and to identify factors associated with delayed care.
Materials and Methods:
This cross-sectional study included 480 participants (242 rural, 238 urban) diagnosed with common mental disorders. Data were collected using structured tools, including Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Treatment delay and associated factors were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression.
Results:
Rural participants had significantly longer treatment delays compared to urban participants (median 18 months vs 4 months,
Conclusion:
Significant rural–urban disparities exist in treatment delay and access to mental healthcare. Addressing stigma, improving mental health literacy, and strengthening primary healthcare services, particularly in rural areas, are essential to reduce delays and improve outcomes.