[The prevalence of mental illness in primary care and its relation to the degree of consultation frequency].
OBJECTIVE
To establish the prevalence of psychic malaise within the population that consults the general medical clinic of our health center and the relationship between that prevalence and the frequency of consultation.


METHODS
Transversal descriptive study applying the GHQ test (28 items) to a sample obtained by mathematical sampling, using a questionnaire to collect sociodemographic data. SITE. The Health Center Segovia II (La Albuera) during November and December 1991.


METHODS
360 patients over the age of fifteen were selected; 252 answered the test.


RESULTS
Considering the GHQ test as positive when score seven or more, a prevalence of psychic malaise of 33% was obtained. We found a statistically significant relationship between positive GHQ test and the frequency of consultation (p < 0.001) and female gender (p < 0.01). No statistically significant relationship was found between psychic malaise and the following variables: age, marital status, educational level and occupation.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a high prevalence of psychic malaise within the population attending our general practice which can produce an increase in the demand. A biopsychosocial approach to all patients, with the aim of identifying that kind of problem and approaching it adequately, could reduce the use of health resources.
Centro de Salud Segovia II (La Albuera), Unidad Docente de Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria de Segovia.
J A
JA
Cortés
C
C
Peñalver
J
J
Alonso
A
A
Arroyo
L
L
Gonzálvez
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
La prevalencia de malestar psíquico en atención primaria y su relación con el grado de frecuentación de las consultas.