Page 233 - RUICHSS 2023 Proceeding

University of Ruhuna ISSN: 2706-0063
Matara, Sri Lanka

countries. By examining the impact of urbanisation on mental disorders across

different countries, the study provides valuable insights for policymakers,
researchers, and stakeholders seeking to enhance sustainable urbanisation,

economic stability, and adequate health services. This research significantly

contributes to the existing literature and offers a solid foundation for evidence-
based decision-making.

5. Review of Literature

Global urbanisation is causing an increase in several health issues, including
mental health. The literature review aims to investigate the relationship

between urbanisation and mental disorders in the SAARC countries.

Mental disorders are highly prevalent in the SAARC countries with a high
disease burden and limited access to mental health services. For example,

according to a study undertaken in Nepal, the prevalence of mental disorders

among adults was 15.5%, and within that figure, depression is the most
common mental disorder (Thapa et al., 2018). On the other hand, anxiety is

the most common type of mental disorder among adults in India, where the

prevalence of mental disorders among adults is 10.6% Similarly, anxiety was
found to be the most common mental disorder in Pakistan, where the

prevalence of mental disorders was estimated to be 16% (Afzal et al., 2014).

Numerous studies have shown that mental disorders are highly prevalent in
urban areas compared to rural areas (Peen et al., 2007; Turan & Besirli, 2008;
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