Treatment and adequacy of treatment of mental disorders among respondents to the Mexico National Comorbidity Survey.
OBJECTIVE
This study described the rate and adequacy of mental health service use among participants in the Mexico National Comorbidity Survey and the correlates of any 12-month treatment and of adequate treatment.


METHODS
The authors conducted face-to-face household surveys of a probability sample of individuals ages 18 to 65 years in the noninstitutionalized population living in urban areas of Mexico from 2001 to 2002. The use of mental health services and 12-month DSM-IV disorders was assessed with the World Mental Health version of the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview. The rates and correlates of any service use and the adequacy of treatment were identified in logistic regression analyses, taking into account the complex sample design and weighting process.


RESULTS
The data reported here were based on 2,362 interviews. Fewer than one in five respondents with any psychiatric disorder during the last 12 months used any service during the prior year. The rates of service use by those with mood disorders were somewhat higher. About one in every two respondents who used services received minimally adequate care.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors found large unmet needs for mental health services among those with psychiatric disorders. Those with mental illness and those who deliver or seek to improve mental health care in Mexico face enormous challenges.
Borges
Guilherme
G
Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatria and Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco, Calzada Mexico Xochimilco No. 101, Col. San Lorenzo Huipulco, Mexico D.F. C.P.14370, Mexico. guibor@imp.edu.mx
Medina-Mora
Maria Elena
ME
Wang
Philip S
PS
Lara
Carmen
C
Berglund
Patricia
P
Walters
Ellen
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards; D006302:Health Services Research; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011787:Quality of Health Care