[The coverage gap for mental health disosrders in the primary healthcare level of the city of Cordoba, Argentina].
Many individuals with behavioral and mental health disorders do not receive care in specialized mental health services. These individuals could potentially be identified and managed in the primary healthcare level.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the coverage gap on mental health disorders in the primary healthcare level of Córdoba city, Argentina.


METHODS
Stratified multistage random sample of individuals 19 to 69 years of age seeking care in primary healthcare centers of the public health system in Córdoba city. Presence of behavioral and mental health disorder and receiving healthcare through mental health services were assesed using CIDI 3.0. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.


RESULTS
A total of 1,067 individuals were included in the present analysis. Overall, 20.15% of individuals included in the analysis had behavioral and mental health disorders during the last year, of whom 77.33% did not receive care through mental health services.


CONCLUSIONS
The proportion of individuals with behavioral and mental health disorders and of those who did not receive care through mental health services are similar to those observed in other Latin American countries, but higher than those reported in Europe. This communication gives preliminary results about the coverage gap on mental health disorders present in the primary healthcare level in Cordoba city. These individuals may benefit from interventions aimed to identify and manage those with mental health disorders in the primary healthcare level.
Escuela de Salud Pública de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (FCM), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Argentina. Programa de Doctorado FCM, premiada de RedeAmericas y Dr. Lisa Oehler Foundation award.
Maria Soledad
MS
Burrone
Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina.
Julio E
JE
Enders
Instituto de Salud Poblacional "Escuela de Salud Pública Dr. Salvador Allende", Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile. Santiago, Chile.
Ruben
R
Alvarado
School of Public Health; Columbia University. New York, United States of America.
Eliecer
E
Valencia
Escuela de Salud Pública de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina.
Ariel R
AR
Abeldaño
School of Public Health; Columbia University. New York, United States of America.
Ezra
E
Susser
Escuela de Salud Pública de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina.
A Ruth
AR
Fernández
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult