[Gamblers seeking for help].
OBJECTIVE
To describe demographic characteristics and other health and gambling related dimensions of a sample of callers to the Helpline Service of the City of Buenos Aires, Argentina.


METHODS
Helpline callers were surveyed during a six month period (November, 2006 to April, 2007). The phone interviews were conducted by health professionals and had both a structured and an open section. The structured section included, among other items, the following instruments: South Oaks Gambling Screen -SOGS-, Screen for Gambling Problems National Opinion Research Center -NORD-, CAGE inventory, Brief Inventory for Pathological Gambling -CBJP- and the Evaluator Clinical Global Impression Scale -E-CGIS-.


RESULTS
One hundred and twenty eight calls were received during the study period. Ninety four calls (73.4%) were made by gamblers, 52.1% of which were females and 47.9% were males; the age means were 52 and 43 respectively. The mean values obtained with the instruments were the following: NORD, 5,3; SOGS, 5,3; CBJP, 2,4 and E-CGIS, 4. Approximately, 9% of the sample did not satisfy the criteria for pathological gambling diagnosis and 11% reported to have had little or not detriment at all due to gambling. The findings support the theory that the helpline might have a preventive effect at early stages of the course of pathological gambling and provide empirical bases for appropriate service planning.
Abait
Patricia E
PE
Programa de Prevencion del Juego Patologico del Instituto de Juegos de Apuestas de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina. pabait@speedy.com.ar
Folino
Jorge O
JO
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*