Moroccan national study on prevalence of mental disorders: a community‐based epidemiological study

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of common mental disorders in the Moroccan general population. METHOD: On a systematic representative randomized sample, the Moroccan Arabic version of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) was used to assess the prevalence of mood, anxiety, substance, and alcohol abuse disorders. RESULTS: Among 5498 subjects interviewed, 40.1% had at least one current mental disorder. Current major depressive disorder was the most common (26.5%), and at least one anxiety disorder was found in 37% of the sample. Mental disorders were more frequent among female, urban, divorced, and unemployed subjects. CONCLUSION: Mental disorders are common in the Moroccan general population, particularly mood and anxiety disorders.