title: Depressive symptoms among patients at a clinic in the Red Light District of Tijuana, Mexico.
abstract: Little is known about depression among structurally vulnerable groups living in Tijuana (e.g., migrants, deportees, substance users, sex workers, homeless) who may be at high risk for poor mental health. This study investigates the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms among vulnerable patients receiving services at a free clinic in Tijuana, Mexico. A convenience sample of 584 adult Mexican patients completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire in English or Spanish that included the 8-item NIH PROMIS depression short form and measures of individual, social, and structural factors affecting health. The prevalence of clinically significant depressive symptoms in our sample was 55%. In the multivariate analysis, female gender, poor/fair self-rated health, recent illicit drug use (past six months), feeling rejected (past six months), history of forced sex, and history of violence were independently associated with increased odds of experiencing depressive symptoms. When stratified by gender, we found important differences in significant factors, including recent illicit drug use in men and deportation in women. Among study participants, prevalence of depressive symptoms exceeds prevalence rates reported elsewhere in the U.S.-Mexico border region. These findings suggest that public health efforts to support mental health services in the border region are needed.
authors.affiliation: University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla CA, USA.
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ferraiolo
authors.affiliation: Alcohol Research Group, University of California, Berkeley, Emeryville CA, USA.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pinedo
authors.affiliation: San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McCurley
authors.affiliation: Division of Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla CA, USA.
authors.forename: Jose Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Burgos
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Studies and Research Department, School of Medicine and Psychology, Autonomous University of Baja California, Tijuana, Baja California, México.
authors.forename: Adriana Carolina
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Vargas-Ojeda
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine/UCLA Blum Center on Poverty and Health in Latin America, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles CA, USA.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.affiliation: Division of Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla CA, USA.
authors.forename: Victoria D
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Ojeda
keywords: Latinos; Mental health; PROMIS depression short form; border health; migrants