Addressing Mental Health Needs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: The case of São Caetano do Sul, Brazil.

São Caetano do Sul, a city in southeastern Brazil, boasts exemplary social indicators and healthcare services, with a population of 162,763 and a density of 9,736.03 inhabitants/km². Allocating 25% of its budget to healthcare, the city's mental healthcare services adhere to the National Mental Health Policy. Structured services include a CAPS-II, CAPS-AD, outpatient teams, and teams in various locations. Initiatives since 2000 include inaugurating a CAPS-AD in 2006, a psychiatric emergency service in 2010, and a CAPS-II in 2016, relocating CAPS-AD in 2019, and establishing the Cuca Legal Project in 2022. São Caetano do Sul has a Mental Health Risk Classification Protocol to aid clinical decision-making. Developing care lines for various groups, it offers programs like smoking prevention, school psychology, and obesity support. Collaborating with community centers, these facilities serve as teaching environments. The mental health care network focuses on five axes: Communication, Care, Prevention, Management, and Education, with specific proposed actions and competencies. Despite progress, challenges remain. Expanding access, reducing stigma, and implementing robust monitoring are crucial. São Caetano do Sul's experience offers valuable insights for similar urban settings in LMICs developing mental health programs.

Perinatal and neonatal factors and mental disorders in children and adolescents: looking for the contributions of the early environment to common and dissociable aspects of psychopathology.

High rates of co-occurrence of mental disorders have been hypothesized to represent a result of common susceptibility to overall psychopathology. The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that commonalities among psychiatric disorders might be partially driven by sharable perinatal and neonatal environmental factors for mental disorders. Participants were 6-14 years of age children and their parents. Primary caregivers provided data on perinatal and neonatal information assessed retrospectively (n = 2231). Psychiatric disorders diagnoses were assessed using the Development and Well Being Behavior Assessment (DAWBA). We used bifactor models to disentangle common from dissociable aspects of psychopathology. These models allow modeling psychiatric disorders as the result of a common domain of psychopathology (p-factor) and three dissociable domains (fear, distress, and externalizing symptoms). Associations were tested using linear and tobit regression models. The p-factor was associated with male sex, low socioeconomic status, gestational smoking, gestational drinking, low levels of maternal education and presence of mental disorder in the mother. Associations with specific factors also emerged suggesting some risk factors might also have some role for fear, distress and externalizing factors. Our study supports the hypothesis that overall susceptibility to psychopathology might be partially driven by sharable perinatal and neonatal factors.

Adaptation to Brazilian Portuguese and Latin-American Spanish and psychometric properties of the Mental Illness Clinicians' Attitudes Scale (MICA v4)

Abstract Objective To describe translation to Spanish and Portuguese and adaptation of the Mental Illness Clinicians' Attitudes Scale version 4 (MICA v4). Methods The questionnaire was administered to primary care physicians (PCPs) from four Latin-American countries, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, and Cuba. The validation process included four phases: 1) translation of the questionnaire to Spanish and Portuguese; 2) assessment of face validity; 3) assessment of reliability; and 4) evaluation of construct validity with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Results The study sample comprised 427 PCPs. The mean age of the Spanish-speaking sample (n = 252) was 40.1 (S.D = 9.7) years and the mean age of the Portuguese-speaking sample (n = 150) was 40.2 (S.D = 10.9) years. Both models demonstrated "appropriate" internal reliability. Total omega was 0.91 for the Spanish-speaking sample and 0.89 for the Portuguese-speaking sample. The CFA of both questionnaires showed an appropriate fit for a three-factor model (Portuguese: CFI = 0.927; TLI = 0.913; RMSEA = 0.066; Spanish: CFI = 0.945; TLI = 0.935; RMSEA = 0.068). Conclusion The Latin-American versions of the MICA v4 in Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese have appropriate psychometric properties, good internal consistency, and are applicable to and acceptable in the Latin-American context. The instrument proved its validity for collecting data on stigmatizing attitudes among health professionals in different contexts and cultures.

Sociodemographic and clinical profile of crack cocaine treatment-seeking individuals living in "Crackland", Brazil / Perfil sociodemográfico e clínico de indivíduos em busca de tratamento para o uso de crack que vivem na "Cracolândia"

OBJECTIVE: São Paulo's Crackland is the biggest and oldest open drug use scene in Brazil, yet little is known about the profile of crack cocaine treatment-seeking individuals living in this region. The aim of this crossectional study was to describe the demographics and clinical characteristics of treatment-seeking crack users living in the Crackland region. METHODS: A sample of nighty eight individuals were screened for DSM-V substance use disorders, including substance use, impulsiveness, and psychiatric symptoms. Recent crack cocaine use was also tested using biologic specimens. RESULTS: Results indicated severe social vulnerability, as participants experienced high rates of homelessness (46.9%), unstable housing (50%), unemployment (60.4%) and early school drop-out (27.5%). The average age of crack use onset was 20 years (SD = 6.9) and the mean duration of continuous crack use was 15 years (SD = 9.7). Most participants presented with concomitant mental health disorders, particularly alcohol use disorder (87.8%), as well high rates of psychiatric symptomatology and impulsiveness. More than half of the sample reported at least one previous inpatient (73.5%) and outpatient (65.3%) addiction treatment attempt. CONCLUSION: This population profile should inform mental healthcare services, promoting the provision of tailored assistance by targeting specific demands at all levels of treatment.

OBJETIVO: Localizada em São Paulo, a Cracolândia é o maior e mais antigo cenário aberto de uso de drogas do Brasil. Ainda assim, pouco se sabe sobre o perfil dos indivíduos que vivem nessa região e buscam tratamento para crack. O objetivo deste estudo transversal foi descrever características demográficas e clínicas de usuários de crack vivendo na região da Cracolândia que estão em busca de tratamento. MÉTODOS: Noventa e oito indivíduos foram avaliados para transtornos por uso de substâncias do DSM-V, padrão de uso de substâncias, impulsividade e sintomatologia psiquiátrica. O uso recente de crack também foi determinado por meio de coleta de amostras toxicológicas. RESULTADOS: Os resultados indicaram grave vulnerabilidade social, com significativas prevalências de falta de moradia (46,9%), moradia instável (50%), desemprego (60,4%) e abandono escolar precoce (27,5%). A idade média de início do uso de crack foi de 20 anos (DP = 6,9) e a duração média do uso contínuo do crack foi de 15 anos (DP = 9,7). A maioria dos participantes apresentou alguma comorbidade psiquiátrica, particularmente transtorno por uso de álcool (87,8%), bem como altas taxas de sintomatologia psiquiátrica e impulsividade. Mais da metade da amostra relatou pelo menos uma tentativa anterior de tratamento por internação (73,5%) e ambulatorial (65,3%). CONCLUSÃO: Os achados desse estudo permitem um maior entendimento do perfil e das necessidades de usuários de crack vivendo na região da Cracolândia e podem ajudar serviços de saúde especializados em dependência química a promoverem uma assistência mais direcionada às demandas específicas dessa população.

Do adolescents exposed to peer aggression at school consider themselves to be victims of bullying? The influence of sex and age

Abstract Introduction Exposure to peer aggression (PA) and bullying victimization (BV) are both expressions of peer victimization. Objectives In four age-sex groups, (1) Can exposure to PA and BV be considered distinct experiences? (2) To what extent do adolescents exposed to PA consider themselves bullying victims? and (3) What is the effect on BV of the number of PA events experienced? Methods This cross-sectional study evaluated a probabilistic community-based sample of 669 adolescents (11-15 years, 51.7% girls). A three-stage probabilistic sampling plan involved random selection of census units, eligible households, and one target child per household selected. A 15-item scale investigated exposure to PA events (physical aggression, verbal harassment, social manipulation) occurring more than once in the past six months. BV occurring more than once a week or most days in the past six months was investigated after presenting respondents with a BV definition that required them to feel harmed by their victimization experiences. Results Adolescents exposed to PA and/or BV reported PA only (76.2%), BV only (4.7%), and both (19.1%). Rates of BV among those exposed to PA were as follows: 11-to-12-year-old boys (22.7%), 13-to-15-year-old boys (9.7%), 11-to-12-year-old girls (46.5%), and 13-to-15-year-old girls (13.2%). Multiple logistic regression analysis (outcome = BV) found a significant interaction between PA, age, and sex. PA events had a significant effect on BV for all except older girls. Conclusion Exposure to PA and BV are different constructs; few older boys exposed to PA consider themselves bullying victims; and older girls are less affected by PA when it comes to BV.

Disability in children and adolescents: the extent of the impact on psychiatric disorders and educational deficits

Abstract Introduction Most children/adolescents with disability live in low and middle-income countries and, worldwide, they are more likely to have mental health problems and achieve worse academic performance compared to those with typical development. Objective To assess whether Brazilian children/adolescents with four types of disabilities are more likely to have psychiatric disorders and educational deficits than children/adolescents with typical development. Method A multicenter cross-sectional study involving a school-based probabilistic sample of second to sixth graders (N = 1,674) from public schools in four Brazilian regions. The four types of disabilities (intellectual, visual, hearing, and motor) were assessed using the Ten Questions Questionnaire. Psychiatric disorders were measured with the Schedule for Affective Disorders/Schizophrenia for School-Age Children (K-SADS-PL), and academic performance was evaluated using the Teste de Desempenho Acadêmico - TDE (the academic performance test). Results A logistic regression model with cluster-robust errors identified the following statistically significant associations with three of the four types of disability (the exception was hearing). Intellectual disability was associated with anxiety (p < 0.01), depression (p < 0.01), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (p < 0.001), school failure (p < 0.01), and poor academic performance (p < 0.01). Visual disability was associated with depression (p < 0.01). Motor disability was marginally associated with ADHD (p = 0.08). Conclusions Presence of disabilities (intellectual, visual, and motor) in children/adolescents was associated with psychiatric disorders, school failure, and academic performance. It is therefore important to identify presence of disabilities and plan and deliver specific interventions and specialized educational care for the needs presented by these children/adolescents. This is particularly important in low and middle-income countries, where these disabilities are frequent among children/adolescents.

The impact of child psychiatric conditions on future educational outcomes among a community cohort in Brazil.

AIMS: Mental health problems early in life can negatively impact educational attainment, which in turn have negative long-term effects on health, social and economic opportunities. Our aims were to: (i) estimate the impacts of different types of psychiatric conditions on educational outcomes and (ii) to estimate the proportion of adverse educational outcomes which can be attributed to psychiatric conditions. METHODS: Participants (N = 2511) were from a school-based community cohort of Brazilian children and adolescents aged 6-14 years enriched for high family risk of psychiatric conditions. We examined the impact of fear- (panic, separation and social anxiety disorder, specific phobia, agoraphobia and anxiety conditions not otherwise specified), distress- (generalised anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder and depressive disorder not otherwise specified, bipolar, obsessive-compulsive, tic, eating and post-traumatic stress disorder) and externalising-related conditions (attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, conduct and oppositional-defiant conditions) on grade repetition, dropout, age-grade distortion, literacy performance and bullying perpetration, 3 years later. Psychiatric conditions were ascertained by psychiatrists, using the Development and Well-Being Behaviour Assessment. Propensity score and inverse probability weighting were used to adjust for potential confounders, including comorbidity, and sample attrition. We calculated the population attributable risk percentages to estimate the proportion of adverse educational outcomes in the population which could be attributed to psychiatric conditions. Analyses were conducted separately for males and females. RESULTS: Fear and distress conditions in males were associated with school dropout (odds ratio (OR) = 2.76; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.06, 7.22; p < 0.05) and grade repetition (OR = 2.76; 95% CI = 1.32, 5.78; p < 0.01), respectively. Externalising conditions were associated with grade repetition in males (OR = 1.66; 95% CI = 1.05, 2.64; p < 0.05) and females (OR = 2.03; 95% CI = 1.15, 3.58; p < 0.05), as well as age-grade distortion in males (OR = 1.66; 95% CI = 1.05, 2.62; p < 0.05) and females (OR = 2.88; 95% CI = 1.61, 5.14; p < 0.001). Externalising conditions were also associated with lower literacy levels (ß = -0.23; 95% CI = -0.34, -0.12; p < 0.001) and bullying perpetration (OR = 3.12; 95% CI = 1.50, 6.51; p < 0.001) in females. If all externalising conditions were prevented or treated, we estimate that 5.0 and 4.8% of grade repetition would not have occurred in females and males, respectively, as well as 10.2 (females) and 5.3% (males) of age-grade distortion cases and 11.4% of female bullying perpetration. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides evidence of the negative impact of psychiatric conditions on educational outcomes in a large Brazilian cohort. Externalising conditions had the broadest and most robust negative impacts on education and these were particularly harmful to females which are likely to limit future socio-economic opportunities.

A cluster randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of the school-based drug prevention program #Tamojunto2.0.

AIMS: The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the government school-based program #Tamojunto2.0, the third Brazilian version of the European drug prevention program, Unplugged, in preventing the use of alcohol and other drugs. DESIGN: A parallel, two-arm cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in 205 classes in 73 public schools (37 intervention and 36 control) with a baseline assessment and follow-up after 9 months. SETTING: Schools in the cities of São Paulo, Fortaleza and Eusebio in Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 5208 students in the 8th grade with a mean age of 13.2 years (standard deviation = 0.8 years) and an equal gender ratio. INTERVENTION: In 2019, the intervention group attended 12 classes of the program #Tamojunto2.0, under the supervision of a team from the Ministry of Health. The control group did not receive any intervention to prevent alcohol and drug use. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome measured was prevalence of binge drinking (five or more doses of alcohol in an occasion) within the past month. Secondary outcomes were prevalence of initiation and use of alcohol, tobacco, inhalants, marijuana and cocaine within the past month. FINDINGS: A statistically significant difference was not found in the prevalence of binge drinking within the past month between intervention and control groups [odds ratio (OR) = 0.934; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.761-1.146]. However, students who were exposed to the program were less likely to initiate alcohol use than those in the control group (OR = 0.782; 95% CI = 0.636-0.961). The Bayes factor for reduction in binge drinking was 0.01, providing evidence in favor of the null hypothesis for this variable. CONCLUSIONS: The drug prevention program #Tamojunto 2.0 reduced alcohol initiation, but appeared not to reduce past-month binge drinking among 8th grade students in Brazil.

Being bullied and using drugs are associate with eating disorder symptoms in Brazilian students.

OBJECTIVE: This study's main purpose is to evaluate factors associated with eating disorder (ED) symptoms among Brazilian adolescents. METHOD: The sample consisted of 5,213 students, mean age 13.24 (SD ±0.01), in the eighth grade of 93 public schools from three Brazilian cities. Data were collected through an anonymous self-report questionnaire, assessing: sociodemographics, use of alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, binge drinking, bullying, and ED symptoms. We used confirmatory factor analysis and multivariate linear regression. RESULTS: We found that high levels of bullying victimization, binge drinking and the use of unprescribed weight-loss substances were associated with higher levels of ED symptoms to both genders. However, only among girls, the higher age (ß = .10; 95% CI = 0.02; 0.17) and the use of illicit drugs (ß = .21; 95% CI = 0.094; 0.34) were associated with increase in the ED symptoms. DISCUSSION: We demonstrate a significant association of ED symptoms with drug use and bullying, highlighting the importance of addressing these factors in the development of ED prevention strategies.

Evaluation of NDEL1 oligopeptidase activity in blood and brain in an animal model of schizophrenia: effects of psychostimulants and antipsychotics.

Nuclear distribution element-like 1 (NDEL1) enzyme activity is important for neuritogenesis, neuronal migration, and neurodevelopment. We reported previously lower NDEL1 enzyme activity in blood of treated first episode psychosis and chronic schizophrenia (SCZ) compared to healthy control subjects, with even lower activity in treatment resistant chronic SCZ patients, implicating NDEL1 activity in SCZ. Herein, higher NDEL1 activity was observed in the blood and several brain regions of a validated animal model for SCZ at baseline. In addition, long-term treatment with typical or atypical antipsychotics, under conditions in which SCZ-like phenotypes were reported to be reversed in this animal model for SCZ, showed a significant NDEL1 activity reduction in blood and brain regions which is in line with clinical data. Importantly, these results support measuring NDEL1 enzyme activity in the peripheral blood to predict changes in NDEL1 activity in the CNS. Also, acute administration of psychostimulants, at levels reported to induce SCZ-like phenotype in normal rat strains, increased NDEL1 enzyme activity in blood. Therefore, alterations in NDEL1 activity after treatment with antipsychotics or psychostimulants may suggest a possible modulation of NDEL1 activity secondary to neurotransmission homeostasis and provide new insights into the role of NDEL1 in SCZ pathophysiology.

Population neuroscience: challenges and opportunities for psychiatric research in low- and middle-income countries

Objective: Population neuroscience is an emerging field that combines epidemiology and neuroscience to study how genes and the environment shape typical and atypical brain functioning. The objective of this study was to review key studies on population neuroscience from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and to identify potential gaps vis-à-vis studies conducted in high-income countries. Methods: We conducted a systematic review to search for longitudinal cohort studies investigating the development of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents in LMICs. We performed an electronic search in the EMBASE and MEDLINE databases from inception to July 5th, 2019. Results: We found six cohorts from four countries that met our search criteria: three cohorts from Brazil, one from China, one from South Africa, and one from Mauritius. Relevant examples of findings from these studies are reported. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate the impact of the valuable science output these cohort designs promote, allowing LMICs to have a share in frontline global psychiatry research. National and international funding agencies should invest in LMIC population neuroscience in order to promote replication and generalization of research from high-income countries.

Validity and item response theory properties of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for primary care depression screening in Mozambique (PHQ-9-MZ).

BACKGROUND: Depression is one of the leading causes of disability in Mozambique; however, few patients with depression are identified in primary care. To our knowledge, there are no validated tools for depression screening in Mozambique. The aim of this study was to validate the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for use in primary care settings in Mozambique. METHODS: The PHQ-9 was adapted using a structured multi-phase process led by a team of bilingual experts followed by a review by lay individuals and pilot-testing including cognitive interviews. The final Mozambican PHQ-9 (PHQ-9-MZ) was applied among 502 individuals randomly selected from antenatal, postpartum, and general outpatient consultations in three Ministry of Health primary healthcare clinics in Sofala Province, Mozambique. The PHQ-9-MZ was evaluated against the MINI 5.0-MZ as a gold standard diagnostic tool. RESULTS: The majority of participants were female (74%), with a mean age of 28. Using the MINI 5.0-MZ, 43 (9%) of the sample tested positive for major depressive disorder. Items of the PHQ-9-MZ showed good discrimination and factor loadings. One latent factor of depression explained 54% of the variance in scores. Questions 3 (sleep) and 5 (appetite) had the lowest item discrimination and factor loadings. The PHQ-9-MZ showed good internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.84, and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.81 (95% CI: 0.73, 0.89). The PHQ-2-MZ had an AUROC of 0.78 (95% CI: 0.70, 0.85). Using a cut-point of ≥9, the PHQ-9-MZ had a sensitivity of 46.5% and a specificity of 93.5%. Using a cut-point of ≥2, the PHQ-2-MZ had a sensitivity of 74.4% and a specificity of 71.7%. Increasing the cut-point to ≥3, the PHQ-2-MZ has a sensitivity of 32.6% and a specificity of 94.6%. CONCLUSIONS: The PHQ-9-MZ and PHQ-2-MZ emerge as two valid alternatives for screening for depression in primary health care settings in Mozambique. Depending on program needs and weighing the value of minimizing false positives and false negatives, the PHQ-9-MZ can be employed with cut-points ranging from ≥8 to ≥11, and the PHQ-2-MZ with cut-points ranging from ≥2 to ≥3.

Nationwide use of psychotropic drugs for treatment of self-reported depression in the Brazilian urban adult population.

OBJECTIVE: Antidepressant use is increasing worldwide, but national data on psychotropic drug use by depressed patients in Brazil is lacking. METHODOLOGY: Between 2013 and 2014, a representative sample of urban adult individuals were asked if they had a diagnosis of chronic disease, had a medical indication for drug treatment, and were taking chronic medications at the time for each reported diagnosis. We analyzed the frequencies of reported depression and the medications related to this disease. RESULTS: Overall, 6.1% of respondents reported depression. The prevalence increased with age - 9.5% among the elders - was higher among women (8.9%) and in the south of the country (8.9%). As a single disease, the prevalence of depression was higher among young people (17.6%). Among those with multimorbidity, the prevalence of depression rose to 25.7%. Of those who reported depression, 81.3% had medical indication for treatment and 90.3% were under treatment - this proportion was lower among young people (84.5%) and those living in the poorest region (78.6%). Antidepressants accounted for 47.2% of psychotropic drugs taken by respondents with depression, with regional differences - only 30% used antidepressants in the North. Polypharmacy was reported by 22% of those with depression and other chronic diseases. CONCLUSION: Depression in Brazil, is common among young adults as a single chronic disease and highly prevalent among people with chronic multimorbidity, especially the young. The treatment gap was larger among young people and in the less developed regions of the country.

Domestic violence and risk of internalizing and externalizing problems in adolescents living with relatives displaying substance use disorders / Violência doméstica e risco de problemas de internalização e externalização em adolescentes com familiares apresentando transtornos por uso de substâncias

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between exposure to domestic violence and increased risk of internalizing and externalizing problems and substance use among adolescents living with relatives with substance use disorder (SUD) at a low-income community of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A crosssectional study was conducted with 102 adolescents aged 12-17 years (M = 14.2, SD = 1.7) who were living with relatives suffering from SUD. Outcomes were measured using the Youth Self-Report (YSR), psychosocial stress factors questionnaire, Drug Use Screening Inventory (DUSI) and Phrase Inventory of Intrafamily Child Abuse (PIICA). RESULTS: The sample presented high prevalence of emotional/behavioral problems with YSR's scores in the clinical range for Internalizing Problems (24.5%), Externalizing Problems (21.6%), and Total Problems (26.5%). The presence of mental health problems predicted substance use (PR = 2.22; 95% CI = 1.2-4.13), and substance use predicted increased risk of mental health problems. Alcohol use predicted more than double the risk of emotional/behavioral problems (PR = 2.01; 95% CI = 1.08-3.76), while illicit drug use was associated with an almost threefold increase in the prevalence of Internalizing (PR = 2.87; 95% CI = 1.19-6.89) and Externalizing Problems (PR = 3.3; 95% CI = 1.35-8.04). CONCLUSION: Adolescents of relatives with SUD are at risk of developing emotional and behavioral problems. These findings reinforce the need to develop public mental health policies, which include protective interventions to adolescents living in families affected by substance use disorders.

OBJETIVO: Investigar a associação entre exposição à violência doméstica e aumento do risco de problemas internalizantes e externalizantes e uso de substâncias entre adolescentes que vivem em famílias com transtorno por uso de substâncias (TUS) em uma comunidade de baixa renda de São Paulo, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com 102 adolescentes de 12 a 17 anos (M = 14,2, DP = 1,7) que vivem com familiares com TUS. Os desfechos foram avaliados por meio do Inventário de Autoavaliação para Adolescentes (YSR), questionários de fatores de estresse psicossociais, Drug Use Screening Inventory (DUSI) e Inventário de Frases de Violência Doméstica (IFVD). RESULTADOS: A amostra apresentou altas taxas de problemas emocionais/comportamentais no YSR, sendo 24,5% com escores na faixa clínica para Problemas Internalizantes, 21,6% para Problemas Externalizantes e 26,5% para Problemas Totais. A presença de problemas de saúde mental foi preditora do uso de substâncias (RP = 2,22; IC 95% = 1,2-4,13) e o uso de substâncias foi preditor do aumento da prevalência de problemas emocionais/comportamentais. O uso de álcool prediz mais do que o dobro do risco de problemas emocionais/comportamentais (RP = 2,01; IC 95% = 1,08-3,76), enquanto o uso de substâncias ilícitas esteve associado com um aumento de quase três vezes na prevalência de Problemas Internalizantes (RP = 2,87; IC 95% = 1,19-6,89) e Externalizantes (RP = 3,3; IC 95% = 1,35-8,04). CONCLUSÃO: Adolescentes que convivem diretamente com familiares com TUS estão em risco para o desenvolvimento de problemas emocionais/comportamentais. Os achados reforçam a necessidade de políticas públicas que incluam programas de proteção para adolescentes que vivem em famílias com transtornos causados pelo uso de substâncias.

Latin American and Spanish-speaking perspectives on the challenges of global psychiatry

The multi-faceted phenomenon known as globalization has a particular impact on the conceptual and practical development of mental health disciplines in general, and psychiatry in particular, across different world regions. To be theoretically and functionally effective, global psychiatry requires an integration of its different components. To such objective, and after a brief review of continental European and Anglo-Saxon contributions, this article examines the history, characteristics, and contributions of Latin/Iberian American and Spanish-speaking psychiatry, in order to substantiate its role in world psychiatry. The Latin American proper (including Portuguese-speaking Brazil), Spain, and U.S.-based Hispanic components are described, revealing an identity that is based on a humanistic tradition, a value-based, culturally-determined clinical approach to patient care, and a pragmatic adaptation of different treatment resources and techniques. These may constitute supportive elements of an instrumental inter-regional bond in the present and future of our discipline.

A 10-year ecological study of the methods of suicide used by Brazilian adolescents / Estudo ecológico de 10 anos sobre os métodos de suicídio usados por adolescentes brasileiros / Estudio ecológico abarcando 10 años sobre los métodos de suicidio practicados por adolescentes brasileños

Abstract: Suicide among adolescents has become a major public health problem worldwide. Our study sought to describe the most commonly used methods of suicide among adolescents aged 10 to 19 years in Brazil between 2006 and 2015. Complete data were obtained from the Brazilian Health Informatics Department (DATASUS) and coded into seven categories of suicide methods. The following statistical analyzes were performed: chi-square (χ2) tests to examine the association between the frequency of each suicide method and the year; odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) compared the relative chances of each suicide method occurring between boys and girls. In total, 8,026 suicides among Brazilian adolescents were registered over the analyzed period. The most commonly used method of suicide by both sexes was hanging (2015 = 70.3%), and the most significant increase was observed in girls (2015 = 65.82%). The proportional use of arms (2006 = 14.2%; 2015 = 9.1%) and poisoning (2006 = 13.3%; 2015 = 9.2%) decreased over the period. The increase in hanging is worrisome, mostly due to difficulties to impose access barriers and to its high lethality. In such context, a comprehensive understanding of suicide behaviors among adolescents in Brazil should be drawn to inform general prevention measures and, more specifically, the reasons for the increase in hanging need to be further investigated.

Resumo: O suicídio entre adolescentes é um importante problema de saúde pública em nível global. O estudo teve como principal objetivo descrever os métodos de suicídio mais usados por adolescentes brasileiros entre 10 e 19 anos de idade, de 2006 a 2015. Foram obtidos dados completos do Departamento de Informática do SUS (DATASUS), codificados em sete categorias de métodos de suicídio. As seguintes análises estatísticas foram realizadas: testes de qui-quadrado (χ2) para examinar a associação entre a frequência de cada método de suicídio e o ano do óbito. As razões de chances (OR) e intervalos de 95% de confiança (IC95%) compararam as chances relativas entre homens e mulheres para cada método de suicídio. Durante o período analisado, houve 8.026 suicídios entre adolescentes. O enforcamento foi o método de suicídio mais usado em ambos os sexos eram (2015 = 70,3%), com um aumento mais agudo em mulheres (2015 = 65,82%). O uso proporcional de armas (2006 = 14,2%; 2015 = 9,1%) e envenenamento (2006 = 13,3%; 2015 = 9,2%) diminuiu ao longo do período. O aumento dos enforcamentos é preocupante, suscitando questões com dificuldades na imposição de barreiras de acesso e a alta letalidade desse método. Nesse contexto, precisa haver uma compreensão mais abrangente dos comportamentos suicidas entre os adolescentes brasileiros para informar as medidas preventivas em geral e, mais especificamente, para elucidar os motivos para o aumento dos suicídios por enforcamento.

Resumen: El suicidio entre adolescentes se ha convertido en un importante problema de salud pública en todo el mundo. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir los métodos de suicido usados más comúnmente entre adolescentes, con edades comprendidas entre los 10 y 19 años, en Brasil desde 2006 hasta 2015. Los datos completos se obtuvieron del Departamento de Informática del Sistema Único de Salud (DATASUS) y se codificaron en siete categorías de métodos de suicidio. Se realizaron análisis estadísticos: tests chi-cuadrado (χ2) para examinar la asociación entre la frecuencia de cada método de suicidio y año. Odds ratios (OR) y los intervalos del 95% de confianza (IC95%) compararon las oportunidades relativas de cada método suicidio que se produce entre hombres y mujeres. Se registraron 8.026 suicidios entre adolescentes brasileños durante el período analizado. El método de suicidio más comúnmente usado por ambos sexos fue ahorcamiento (2015 = 70,3%), se observó un aumento más pronunciado en mujeres (2015 = 65,82%). El uso proporcional de armas (2006 = 14,2%; 2015 = 9,1%) y envenenamiento (2006 = 13,3%; 2015 = 9,2%) descendió durante este período. El incremento por ahorcamiento es preocupante, principalmente, en lo que se refiere a las dificultades para imponer barreras de acceso, así como por su alta letalidad. En este contexto, se deberían describir más los comportamientos suicidas entre adolescentes en Brasil para comprenderlos mejor, con el fin de que se tomen medidas de prevención general y, más específicamente, se profundice en las razones del incremento de ahorcamientos.

Nationwide use of psychotropic drugs for treatment of self-reported depression in the Brazilian urban adult population / Uso nacional de drogas psicotrópicas no tratamento da depressão autorreferida na população adulta urbana brasileira

ABSTRACT: Objective: Antidepressant use is increasing worldwide, but national data on psychotropic drug use by depressed patients in Brazil is lacking. Methodology: Between 2013 and 2014, a representative sample of urban adult individuals were asked if they had a diagnosis of chronic disease, had a medical indication for drug treatment, and were taking chronic medications at the time for each reported diagnosis. We analyzed the frequencies of reported depression and the medications related to this disease. Results: Overall, 6.1% of respondents reported depression. The prevalence increased with age - 9.5% among the elders - was higher among women (8.9%) and in the south of the country (8.9%). As a single disease, the prevalence of depression was higher among young people (17.6%). Among those with multimorbidity, the prevalence of depression rose to 25.7%. Of those who reported depression, 81.3% had medical indication for treatment and 90.3% were under treatment - this proportion was lower among young people (84.5%) and those living in the poorest region (78.6%). Antidepressants accounted for 47.2% of psychotropic drugs taken by respondents with depression, with regional differences - only 30% used antidepressants in the North. Polypharmacy was reported by 22% of those with depression and other chronic diseases. Conclusion: Depression in Brazil, is common among young adults as a single chronic disease and highly prevalent among people with chronic multimorbidity, especially the young. The treatment gap was larger among young people and in the less developed regions of the country.

RESUMO: Objetivo: O uso de antidepressivos está aumentando em todo o mundo, mas faltam dados nacionais sobre o uso de drogas psicotrópicas por pacientes deprimidos no Brasil. Metodologia: Entre 2013 e 2014, uma amostra representativa de indivíduos adultos urbanos foi questionada sobre a presença diagnóstica de doença crônica, a indicação médica para tratamento medicamentoso e o uso de medicamentos crônicos à época de cada diagnóstico relatado. Foram analisadas as frequências de depressão relatada e os medicamentos relacionados a essa doença. Resultados: No geral, 6,1% dos entrevistados relataram depressão. A prevalência aumentou com a idade (9,5% entre os idosos) foi maior entre as mulheres (8,9%) e no sul do país (8,9%). Como doença única, a prevalência de depressão foi maior entre os jovens (17,6%). Entre aqueles com multimorbidade, a prevalência de depressão subiu para 25,7%. Dos que relataram depressão, 81,3% tinham indicação médica para tratamento e 90,3% estavam em tratamento - essa proporção foi menor entre os jovens (84,5%) e os que moram na região mais pobre (78,6%). Os antidepressivos representaram 47,2% dos medicamentos psicotrópicos tomados pelos entrevistados com depressão, com diferenças regionais - apenas 30% usavam antidepressivos no Norte. Polifarmácia foi relatada por 22% das pessoas com depressão e outras doenças crônicas. Conclusão: A depressão no Brasil é comum entre adultos jovens como doença crônica única e altamente prevalente entre as pessoas com multimorbidade crônica, principalmente os jovens. A lacuna de tratamento foi maior entre os jovens e nas regiões menos desenvolvidas do país.