Mental disorders prevalence among female caregivers of children in a cohort study in Salvador, Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
The caregiver-child relationship is important for child development. The prevalence of mental disorders was assessed in a female caregiver group and associated with socioenvironmental factors.


METHODS
A cross sectional study was conducted in 326 caregivers whose children have been participating in a cohort study on mental development since 1999.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of mental disorders assessed according to the CIDI version 2.1 was 47.5% (95% CI 0.42-0.53). They were predominantly anxiety disorders (32.8%; 95%CI 0.27-0.38), followed by mood disorders (26.1%; 95%CI 0.21-0.31) and psychoactive substance abuse (10.1%; 95%CI 0.07-0.13). Anxiety and mood disorders were less likely in younger caregivers and substance abuse disorder was less likely among those better educated.


CONCLUSIONS
The overall prevalence was similar to previous estimates, although 32.8% of anxiety disorders exceeded previous findings, which is unsurprising in a female sample.


CONCLUSIONS
Younger caregivers with higher schooling were more likely to have better mental health, which favors child development.
Santos
Darci Neves
DN
Institute of Collective Health, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil. darci@ufba.br
Almeida-Filho
Naomar
N
Cruz
Slanowa Santos
SS
Souza
Silvana dos Santos
Sdos S
Santos
Evanildes Costa
EC
Barreto
Maurício Lima
ML
de Oliveira
Irismar Reis
IR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004522:Educational Status; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors