Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence and distribution of mental disorders among minority people in rural areas of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.MethodsFrom July to December,2007,6000 subjects aged more than 15 years were randomly selected from five autonomous counties by stratified multi-stage cluster sampling method.All subjects were investigated with a face-to-face interview.The Chinese version of Composite International Diagnostic Interview(CIDI 3.0)was used as the screening tool and the diagnoses were made with the 10th edition of International Classfication of Disease.ResultsOverall 4743 subjects(79.05%)completed the screening.The total prevalence of mental disorder among the people of different minorities was 11.12‰,with the prevalence of 41.06‰ for Dong,29.11‰ for Yao,34.11‰ for Mulan, and 29.51‰ for Maonan,and the total lifetime prevalence was 12.13‰ for Miao,42.03‰ for Dong,29.11‰ for Yao, 39.96‰ for Mulam,and 29.51‰ for Maonan,respectirely.There were statistically significant differences in the total prevalence and the lifetime prevalence of mental disorders among the subjects of different gender,age,educational level,and marital status.ConclusionMental disorder is a major public health problem among minorities in Guangxi.