Associations between common mental disorders and the Mental Illness Needs Index in community settings. Multilevel analysis.
BACKGROUND
The relationship between the Mental Illness Needs Index (MINI) and the common mental disorders is not known.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate associations between the small-area MINI score and common mental disorder at individual level.


METHODS
Mental health status was measured using the Mental Health Inventory of the Short Form 36 instrument (SF-36). Data from the Caerphilly Health and Social Needs population survey were analysed in multilevel models of 10 653 individuals aged 18-74 years nested within the 2001 UK census geographies of 110 lower super output areas and 33 wards.


RESULTS
The MINI score was significantly associated with common mental disorder after adjusting for individual risk factors. This association was stronger at the smaller spatial scale of the lower super output area and for individuals who were permanently sick or disabled.


CONCLUSIONS
The MINI is potentially useful for small-area needs assessment and service planning for common mental disorder in community settings.
Fone
David L
DL
Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
Dunstan
Frank
F
John
Ann
A
Lloyd
Keith
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000458:organization & administration; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D017062:Small-Area Analysis; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014478:Unemployment / Q000523:psychology*; D014852:Wales