The knowledge of primary health care professionals regarding mental health: diagnosis by mhGAP.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze knowledge about priority topics in mental health care of strategic actors who work in regions where the Health Care Planning (PAS) methodology is used. METHODS: This is a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional, and observational study carried out with professionals from six health regions, distributed in three Brazilian states (Goiás, Rondônia and Maranhão) and linked to the project "Saúde mental na APS" (Mental health in PHC) of the Programa de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Institucional do Sistema Único de Saúde (Proadi-SUS - Institutional Development Support Program of the Brazilian Unified Health System). The sample was made up of professionals who participated in the intervention guide multiplier training stage for mental, neurological and alcohol and other drug use disorders in the primary health care network, from July to September 2022. Data collection was through a self-administered instrument, in electronic format, consisting of a block with socioeconomic items and a structured questionnaire to assess participants' knowledge about priority topics in mental health. Descriptive analyses and comparison of proportions were conducted to analyze the data. RESULTS: A total of 354 health professionals participated in the study. Regarding the percentage of correct answers in the questionnaire on priority topics in mental health, the highest medians were identified in the "Depression" module. On the other hand, the content referring to the modules "Essential care and practices" and "Other important complaints" presented the lowest values. Furthermore, some participant characteristics were found to be associated with the percentage of correct answers in the questionnaire modules. CONCLUSIONS: The findings reveal opportunities for improvement, mainly in knowledge related to communication skills and the approach to emotional and physical distress without diagnostic criteria for a specific disease, offering support for planning actions aimed at intensifying the consideration of these themes during the operational stages of PAS.

The knowledge of primary health care professionals regarding mental health: diagnosis by mhGAP / Conhecimento de profissionais da atenção primária em saúde mental: diagnóstico pelo mhGAP

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To analyze knowledge about priority topics in mental health care of strategic actors who work in regions where the Health Care Planning (PAS) methodology is used. METHODS This is a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional, and observational study carried out with professionals from six health regions, distributed in three Brazilian states (Goiás, Rondônia and Maranhão) and linked to the project "Saúde mental na APS" (Mental health in PHC) of the Programa de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Institucional do Sistema Único de Saúde (Proadi-SUS - Institutional Development Support Program of the Brazilian Unified Health System). The sample was made up of professionals who participated in the intervention guide multiplier training stage for mental, neurological and alcohol and other drug use disorders in the primary health care network, from July to September 2022. Data collection was through a self-administered instrument, in electronic format, consisting of a block with socioeconomic items and a structured questionnaire to assess participants' knowledge about priority topics in mental health. Descriptive analyses and comparison of proportions were conducted to analyze the data. RESULTS A total of 354 health professionals participated in the study. Regarding the percentage of correct answers in the questionnaire on priority topics in mental health, the highest medians were identified in the "Depression" module. On the other hand, the content referring to the modules "Essential care and practices" and "Other important complaints" presented the lowest values. Furthermore, some participant characteristics were found to be associated with the percentage of correct answers in the questionnaire modules. CONCLUSIONS The findings reveal opportunities for improvement, mainly in knowledge related to communication skills and the approach to emotional and physical distress without diagnostic criteria for a specific disease, offering support for planning actions aimed at intensifying the consideration of these themes during the operational stages of PAS.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Analisar o conhecimento sobre temas prioritários do cuidado em saúde mental de atores estratégicos que atuam em regiões nas quais se utiliza a metodologia da Planificação da Atenção à Saúde (PAS). MÉTODOS Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo, descritivo, transversal e observacional realizado com profissionais de seis regiões de saúde, distribuídas em três estados brasileiros (Goiás, Rondônia e Maranhão) e vinculadas ao projeto "Saúde mental na APS" do Programa de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Institucional do Sistema Único de Saúde (Proadi-SUS). A amostra foi composta por profissionais que participaram da etapa de formação de multiplicadores do manual de intervenções para transtornos mentais, neurológicos e por uso de álcool e outras drogas na rede de atenção básica à saúde, no período de julho a setembro de 2022. A coleta de dados foi realizada a partir de um instrumento autoaplicável, em formato eletrônico, composto por um bloco com itens socioeconômicos e um questionário estruturado para avaliação do conhecimento dos participantes acerca de temas prioritários em saúde mental. Para análise dos dados, foram empreendidas análises descritivas e comparação de proporções. RESULTADOS Participaram do estudo 354 profissionais de saúde. Em relação ao percentual de acerto no questionário sobre temas prioritários em saúde mental, as medianas mais altas foram identificadas no módulo de "Depressão". Em contrapartida, o conteúdo referente aos módulos "Cuidados e práticas essenciais" e "Outras queixas importantes" apresentaram os valores mais baixos. Além disso, identificou-se que algumas características dos participantes apresentaram associações com o percentual de acertos nos módulos do questionário. CONCLUSÕES Os achados revelam oportunidades de melhoria, principalmente no conhecimento relacionado às habilidades de comunicação e a abordagem ao sofrimento emocional e físico sem critérios diagnósticos para uma doença específica, oferecendo subsídios para o planejamento de ações que visem a intensificação do olhar destas temáticas durante as etapas operacionais da PAS.