WOS: 000267350900008Objective: There are no studies in the literature investigating the epidemiology of somatization disorder at a large sample group of young adults. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the lifelong prevalence and possible associated risk factors of somatization disorder among students of Cukurova University Education Faculty. Methods: The study group included 804 students. We first applied a semi-constructed questionnaire of socio-demographic characteristics and General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) and then administered the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) part C for the psychiatric diagnosis. Logistic regression analysis was performed in order to evaluate the possible risk factors associated with somatization disorder. Results: Somatization disorder was diagnosed in 62 people (7.7%). Female sex, history of chronic illness, lower educational level of mother and verbal abuse in the family were found to be statistically significant risk factors related with somatization disorder. Conclusion: This study demonstrate a higher prevalence of somatization disorder among a group of university students compared to other prevalence studies of somatization disorder in the general population. Also according to our results there might be some important risk factors for young adults of our country associated with somatization disorder. (Anatolian Journal of Psychiatry 2009; 10: 131-136
