A large-scale sample survey was launched in Beijing Tuesday to
investigate cases of depressive psychosis.
With the theme of depressive psychosis epidemiology, the special
household survey is the first of its kind ever conducted in the
capital and will last a month and a half.
The survey staff will select 10,160 households at random and survey
a person older than 15 in each selected family, according to the
Beijing Mental Health Protection Agency, the organizer of the
survey.
The agency will conduct the survey in the manner approved by the
World Health Organization. The 70-page survey document includes
more than 10 parts, with questions involving smoking, drinking and
demography.
The survey would guarantee the privacy of those surveyed, said Guo
Hongli, a member of the agency, adding the two parties would have
to sign an agreement before starting the inquiry.
"If anyone refuses to be surveyed, we will respect his or her
choice and move on to the next family," Guo added.
According to a survey conducted in 1991, more than 100,000 Beijing
residents older than 15 were suffering serious depressive
psychosis.
(Xinhua News Agency April 2, 2003)