Barriers to treatment for mental disorders in six countries of the Americas: A regional report from the World Mental Health Surveys.

BACKGROUND: Mental health treatment is scarce and little resources are invested in reducing the wide treatment gap that exists in the Americas. The regional barriers are unknown. We describe the barriers for not seeking treatment among those with mental and substance use disorders from six (four low- and middle-income and two high-income) countries from the Americas. Regional socio-demographic and clinical correlates are assessed. METHODS: Respondents (n = 4648) from seven World Mental Health surveys carried out in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and the United States, who met diagnostic criteria for a 12-month mental disorder, measured with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, and who did not access treatment, were asked about treatment need and, among those with need, structural and attitudinal barriers. Country-specific deviations from regional estimates were evaluated through logistic models. RESULTS: In the Americas, 43% of those that did not access treatment did not perceive treatment need, while the rest reported structural and attitudinal barriers. Overall, 27% reported structural barriers, and 95% attitudinal barriers. The most frequent attitudinal barrier was to want to handle it on their own (69.4%). Being female and having higher severity of disorders were significant correlates of greater perceived structural and lower attitudinal barriers, with few country-specific variations. LIMITATIONS: Only six countries in the Americas are represented; the cross-sectional nature of the survey precludes any causal interpretation. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of disorder or treatment need in various forms is one of the main barriers reported in the Americas and it specially affects persons with severe disorders.

Individual and population level estimates of work loss and related economic costs due to mental and substance use disorders in Metropolitan São Paulo, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: We estimate work loss and economic costs due to mental and substance use disorders in the economically active population of the São Paulo Metropolitan Area, Brazil. METHODS: The São Paulo Megacity Mental Health Survey assessed a population-based sample of 3,007 economically active residents using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 3.0 and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2 to investigate, respectively, 12-month psychiatric disorders, work performance, and economic costs. RESULTS: Absenteeism over the past 12 months was reported by 12.6%, and presenteeism by 14.7% (qualitative loss) and 13.1% (quantitative loss). Having any mental disorder was associated with 17.6 days of absenteeism and 37.7 days of reduced-qualitative and/or quantitative functioning. Fourteen mental disorders were significantly associated with work loss, with odds ratios ranging from 2.3 for adult separation anxiety to 40.4 for oppositional defiant disorder. At a population-level, oppositional defiant disorder, panic disorder, attention deficit disorder, and dysthymia contributed to the largest costs. The total annual economic costs were USD $83.2 billion/year, representing 6.1% of Brazil's Gross Domestic Product in 2007. LIMITATIONS: Diagnosis of mental disorders was based on self-reported symptoms. Work loss assessment was restricted to 30 days before the interview and may not fully represents the annual real experience and symptoms of the respondents which would lead to an overestimation of the burden. CONCLUSIONS: Mental disorders impose a great negative impact on work performance and functioning, with a consequent high economic burden, pointing to the need of implementing cost-effective interventions to prevent work loss.

Instrumentos mais utilizados na avaliação da exposição a Experiências Adversas na Infância: uma revisão da literatura / Most frequently used instruments for the assessment of exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences: a literature review

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar e descrever os instrumentos mais frequentemente utilizados nas pesquisas epidemiológicas para a avaliação das Experiências Adversas na Infância, nos últimos dez anos. Trata-se de uma revisão da literatura, cujos critérios de inclusão foram artigos disponíveis na íntegra, nos idiomas inglês, espanhol e português, publicados e indexados nas bases de dados Medline e Lilacs, que citassem no resumo os instrumentos de avaliação utilizados nos estudos. Foram analisados 6 dos 38 instrumentos identificados nos 253 artigos selecionados para análise. Os instrumentos mais citados foram: 1) Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, 2) Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse, 3) Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire, 4) Child Abuse and Trauma Scale, 5) Early Trauma Inventory Self Report e 6) Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire. Os instrumentos descritos diferiram quanto às propriedades psicométricas, à idade para aplicação e à quantidade de Experiências Adversas na Infância avaliadas. Predominaram estudos publicados em periódicos internacionais na língua inglesa. Três instrumentos apresentam versão em português vigente no Brasil, sendo que um deles considera somente a avaliação de aspectos específicos de Experiências Adversas na Infância, enquanto que os outros dois avaliam, também, outras experiências traumáticas.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to identify and describe the most frequently used instruments in epidemiological research to assess Adverse Childhood Experiences, in the past ten years. This is an integrative literature review, whose inclusion criteria were: full text articles in English, Spanish and Portuguese, published and indexed in the Medline and Lilacs databases, which cited in the summary the assessment instruments used in the studies. Six of the 38 instruments identified in the 253 articles selected for analysis were analyzed. The most cited instruments were: 1) Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, 2) Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse, 3) Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire, 4) Child Abuse and Trauma Scale, 5) Early Trauma Inventory Self Report and 6) Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire. The instruments described differed in terms of psychometric properties, age for application and number of Adverse Childhood Experiences assessed. Studies published in international journals in the English language predominated. Three instruments have a Brazilian Portuguese version, one of which only considers the assessment of specific aspects of Adverse Childhood Experiences, while the other two also evaluates other traumatic experiences.

Socioeconomic characteristics influence attitudes towards sexuality in adolescents / Características socioeconômicas influenciam as atitudes face à sexualidade em adolescentes

BACKGROUNG: Attitudes Towards Sexuality in Adolescents (ATSA) are built according to the experiences and different social contexts. OBJECTIVES: to analyze attitudes towards sexuality itself, according to socioeconomic factors in adolescents aged. METHODS: Cross-sectional school-based study was carried out with 2,292 adolescents enrolled in high school, in 54 schools, through interviews using the Attitudes Toward Sexuality in Adolescents (AFSA) instrument that has four dimensions, and measures the Permissiveness, Communion, Instrumentality and Sexual Practices. Then, the attitude of each adolescent was classified as: unfavorable, indifferent and favorable. Pearson's Chi-square test and Multinomial Logistic Regression were used in statistical analyses. RESULTS: It was verified that the majority of the adolescents presented unfavorable AFSA, being these behaviors directly associated to: age of 15/16 and 17 years (OR=0.59; OR=0.47); lower secondary education (OR=2.03); adolescent's head of family having low education (OR=2.00); to live with the partner (OR=2.77); race / color black (OR=2.04) and brown (OR=1.88); and lower family income (OR=2.50). CONCLUSION: Adolescents with lower socioeconomic status are more likely to have unfavorable attitudes towards their own sexuality.

INTRODUÇÃO: Atitudes Face à Sexualidade em Adolescentes (AFSA) são construídas conforme as experiências vivenciadas e os diferentes contextos sociais. OBJETIVO: Analisar as atitudes diante da própria sexualidade, de acordo com fatores socioeconômicos em adolescentes. MÉTODO: Estudo transversal de base escolar foi realizado com 2.292 adolescentes matriculados no ensino médio, em 54 escolas, por meio de entrevistas utilizando o instrumento AFSA, com quatro dimensões: Permissividade, Comunhão, Instrumentalidade e Práticas Sexuais. Em seguida, a atitude de cada adolescente foi classificada em: desfavorável, indiferente e favorável. Foram usados os testes Qui-quadrado de Pearson e Regressão Logística Multinomial nas análises estatísticas. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se que a maior parte dos adolescentes apresentou AFSA desfavorável, sendo tais comportamentos diretamente associados a: idade de 15/16 e 17 anos (OR=0,59; OR=0,47); menor série do ensino médio (OR=2,03); chefe da família do adolescente ter baixa escolaridade (OR=2,00); conviver com o companheiro (OR=2,77); raça/cor preta (OR=2,04) e parda (OR=1,88); e menor renda familiar (OR=2,50). CONCLUSÃO: Adolescentes com menor nível socioeconômico possuem maior chance de apresentarem atitudes desfavoráveis face à própria sexualidade.

Measurement invariance of neuropsychological tests across different sociodemographic backgrounds in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil).

OBJECTIVES: Neuropsychological tests are often used in aging studies to compare distinct groups regarding diagnosis and prognosis. Because sociodemographic characteristics can influence cognitive scores, measurement of invariance is useful to assess the tests' ability to estimate the underlying constructs equally across groups and thus prevent biased interpretation. This study aims to verify measurement invariance in a large and socioculturally diverse sample. METHOD: Middle-aged and older adults (N = 13,395) from the ELSA-Brasil study were evaluated regarding health status and cognition. Mean age was 51.5 ± 8.9 years, 54% were female, 52% were white, and 10% had lower education. Measurement invariance was analyzed using multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis for a two-factor model (memory and executive function). Configural, metric, and scalar invariance were tested across age, sex, race, and education groups. RESULTS: The 2-factor model had a good fit to the entire dataset and for each group. Configural, metric, and scalar invariance confirmed that cognitive measures had the same structure and the items had similar relationships with the latent factors. Strict invariance was not achieved in most group comparison. CONCLUSIONS: The 2-factor model was appropriate for estimating cognitive performance in participants without measurement error by age, sex, race, and education. These results suggest that differences in cognitive outcomes are likely to indicate true differences. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Twelve-month mental health service use in six countries of the Americas: A regional report from the World Mental Health Surveys.

AIMS: To provide cross-national data for selected countries of the Americas on service utilization for psychiatric and substance use disorders, the distribution of these services among treatment sectors, treatment adequacy and factors associated with mental health treatment and adequacy of treatment. METHODS: Data come from data collected from 6710 adults with 12 month mental disorder surveys across seven surveys in six countries in North (USA), Central (Mexico) and South (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Peru) America who were interviewed 2001-2015 as part of the World Health Organization (WHO) World Mental Health (WMH) Surveys. DSM-IV diagnoses were made with the WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). Interviews also assessed service utilization by the treatment sector, adequacy of treatment received and socio-demographic correlates of treatment. RESULTS: Little over one in four of respondents with any 12 month DSM-IV/CIDI disorder received any treatment. Although the vast majority (87.1%) of this treatment was minimally adequate, only 35.3% of cases received treatment that met acceptable quality guidelines. Indicators of social-advantage (high education and income) were associated with higher rates of service use and adequacy, but a number of other correlates varied across survey sites. CONCLUSIONS: These results shed light on an enormous public health problem involving under-treatment of common mental disorders, although the problem is most extreme among people with social disadvantage. Promoting services that are more accessible, especially for those with few resources, is urgently needed.

The relationship between neighborhood-level socioeconomic characteristics and individual mental disorders in five cities in Latin America: multilevel models from the World Mental Health Surveys.

PURPOSE: Our understanding of community-level predictors of individual mental disorders in large urban areas of lower income countries is limited. In particular, the proportion of migrant, unemployed, and poorly educated residents in neighborhoods of these urban areas may characterize group contexts and shape residents' health. METHODS: Cross-sectional household interviews of 7251 adults were completed across 83 neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, Argentina; Medellín, Colombia; São Paulo, Brazil; Lima, Peru; and Mexico City, Mexico as part of the World Mental Health Survey Initiative. Past-year internalizing and externalizing mental disorders were assessed, and multilevel models were used. RESULTS: Living in neighborhoods with either an above-average or below-average proportion of migrants and highly educated residents was associated with lower odds of any internalizing disorder (for proportion migrants: OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.62-0.91 for the bottom tertile and OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.67-0.94 for the top tertile compared to the middle tertile; for proportion highly educated: OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.64-0.90 for the bottom tertile and OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.37-0.90 for the top tertile compared to the middle tertile). Living in neighborhoods with an above-average proportion of unemployed individuals was associated with higher odds of having any internalizing disorder (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.14-1.95 for the top tertile compared to the middle tertile). The proportion of highly educated residents was associated with lower odds of externalizing disorder (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.31-0.93 for the top tertile compared to the middle tertile). CONCLUSIONS: The associations of neighborhood-level migration, unemployment, and education with individual-level odds of mental disorders highlight the importance of community context for understanding the burden of mental disorders among residents of rapidly urbanizing global settings.

Is subjective social status a summary of life-course socioeconomic position?

Very little is known about the association between objective indicators of socioeconomic position in childhood and adolescence and low subjective social status in adult life, after adjusting for adult socioeconomic position. We used baseline data (2008-2010) from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil), a multicenter cohort study of 15,105 civil servants from six Brazilian states. Subjective social status was measured using the The MacArthur Scale of Subjective Social Status, which represents social hierarchy in the form of a 10-rung ladder with the top rung representing the highest subjective social status. Participants who chose the bottom four rungs in the ladder were assigned to the low subjective social status category. The following socioeconomic position indicators were investigated: childhood (maternal education), adolescence (occupational social class of the household head; participant's occupational social class of first job; nature of occupation of household head; participant's nature of occupation of first job), and adulthood (participant's occupational social class, nature of occupation and education). The associations between low subjective social status and socioeconomic position were determined using multiple logistic regression, after adjusting for sociodemographic factors and socioeconomic position indicators from other stages of life. After adjustments, low socioeconomic position in childhood, adolescence and adulthood remained significantly associated with low subjective social status in adulthood with dose-response gradients. The magnitude of these associations was stronger for intra-individual than for intergenerational socioeconomic positions. Results suggest that subjective social status in adulthood is the result of a complex developmental process of acquiring socioeconomic self-perception, which is intrinsic to subjective social status and includes current and past, individual and family household experiences.

The association between psychotic experiences and health-related quality of life: a cross-national analysis based on World Mental Health Surveys.

Psychotic experiences (PEs) are associated with a range of mental and physical disorders, and disability, but little is known about the association between PEs and aspects of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We aimed to investigate the association between PEs and five HRQoL indicators with various adjustments. Using data from the WHO World Mental Health surveys (n = 33,370 adult respondents from 19 countries), we assessed for PEs and five HRQoL indicators (self-rated physical or mental health, perceived level of stigma (embarrassment and discrimination), and social network burden). Logistic regression models that adjusted for socio-demographic characteristics, 21 DSM-IV mental disorders, and 14 general medical conditions were used to investigate the associations between the variables of interest. We also investigated dose-response relationships between PE-related metrics (number of types and frequency of episodes) and the HRQoL indicators. Those with a history of PEs had increased odds of poor perceived mental (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.2-1.9) and physical health (OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.0-1.7) after adjustment for the presence of any mental or general medical conditions. Higher levels of perceived stigma and social network burden were also associated with PEs in the adjusted models. Dose-response associations between PE type and frequency metrics and subjective physical and mental health were non-significant, except those with more PE types had increased odds of reporting higher discrimination (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.3-3.5). Our findings provide novel insights into how those with PEs perceive their health status.

Is subjective social status a summary of life-course socioeconomic position? / O status social subjetivo é uma medida sumária da posição socioeconômica ao longo da vida? / ¿Es el estatus social subjetivo una medida sumaria de la posición socioeconómico a lo largo de la vida?

Very little is known about the association between objective indicators of socioeconomic position in childhood and adolescence and low subjective social status in adult life, after adjusting for adult socioeconomic position. We used baseline data (2008-2010) from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil), a multicenter cohort study of 15,105 civil servants from six Brazilian states. Subjective social status was measured using the The MacArthur Scale of Subjective Social Status, which represents social hierarchy in the form of a 10-rung ladder with the top rung representing the highest subjective social status. Participants who chose the bottom four rungs in the ladder were assigned to the low subjective social status category. The following socioeconomic position indicators were investigated: childhood (maternal education), adolescence (occupational social class of the household head; participant's occupational social class of first job; nature of occupation of household head; participant's nature of occupation of first job), and adulthood (participant's occupational social class, nature of occupation and education). The associations between low subjective social status and socioeconomic position were determined using multiple logistic regression, after adjusting for sociodemographic factors and socioeconomic position indicators from other stages of life. After adjustments, low socioeconomic position in childhood, adolescence and adulthood remained significantly associated with low subjective social status in adulthood with dose-response gradients. The magnitude of these associations was stronger for intra-individual than for intergenerational socioeconomic positions. Results suggest that subjective social status in adulthood is the result of a complex developmental process of acquiring socioeconomic self-perception, which is intrinsic to subjective social status and includes current and past, individual and family household experiences.

Pouco se sabe sobre a associação entre indicadores de posição socioeconômica na infância e adolescência e baixo status social subjetivo na idade adulta, depois de ajustar para posição socioeconômica na idade adulta. Usamos dados de linha de base (2008-2010) do Estudo Longitudinal de Saúde do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil), um estudo de coorte multicêntrico de 15.105 servidores públicos de seis estados brasileiros. O status social subjetivo foi medido com a Escala de MacArthur do Status Social Subjetivo, que representa a hierarquia social como uma escada de 10 degraus, onde o degrau mais alto representa o status social subjetivo mais alto. Os participantes que escolheram os quatro degraus inferiores foram alocados à categoria de status social subjetivo baixo. Foram investigados os seguintes indicadores de posição socioeconômica: infância (escolaridade materna), adolescência (classe social ocupacional do chefe de família; classe social ocupacional do participante no primeiro emprego; natureza da ocupação do chefe de família; natureza da ocupação do participante no primeiro emprego) e vida adulta (classe social ocupacional, natureza da ocupação e escolaridade do participante). A regressão logística múltipla foi usada para estimar as associações entre status social subjetivo baixo e posição socioeconômica, depois de ajustar para fatores sociodemográficos e indicadores de posição socioeconômica em outras fases da vida. Depois dos ajustes, os indicadores de posição socioeconômica baixa na infância, adolescência e idade adulta permaneceram associados significativamente com status social subjetivo baixo na idade adulta, com gradientes dose-resposta. A magnitude dessas associações foi maior para a posição socioeconômica intra-indivíduo do que para a posição socioeconômica intergeracional. Os achados indicam que o status social subjetivo na idade adulta resulta de um processo complexo de desenvolvimento da auto-percepção socioeconômica, intrínseco ao status social subjetivo e que inclui experiências atuais e passadas, individuais e familiares.

Se sabe muy poco sobre la asociación entre los indicadores objetivos de la posición socioeconómica durante la infancia y adolescencia y el bajo estatus social subjetivo en la etapa adulta, después de ajustar por la posición socioeconómica para adultos. Se usaron datos de la línea de base (2008-2010) del Estudio Longitudinal de Salud en Adultos (ELSA-Brasil), un estudio de cohorte multicéntrico con 15.105 empleados públicos, procedentes de seis estados brasileños. El estatus social subjetivo se midió usando la Escala de MacArthur del Estatus Social Subjetivo, que representa la jerarquía social como una escalera con 10 peldaños, donde el peldaño superior representa el estatus social subjetivo más alto. Los participantes que eligieron los cuatro escalones inferiores de la escalera fueron asignados a la categoría baja de estatus social subjetivo. Se investigaron los siguientes indicadores del contexto socioeconómico: infancia (educación materna), adolescencia (clase social ocupacional del cabeza de familia; la clase social ocupacional del primer trabajo de los participantes; naturaleza de la ocupación del cabeza de familia; naturaleza de la ocupación del primer trabajo de los participantes), y etapa adulta (clase social ocupacional de los participantes, naturaleza de la ocupación y educación). Las asociaciones entre un bajo estatus social subjetivo y el contexto socioeconómico se determinaron usando regresión múltiple logística, tras ajustarla para factores sociodemográficos e indicadores de la posición socioeconómica de otras fases de la vida. Tras los ajustes, un bajo contexto socioeconómico en la infancia, adolescencia y etapa adulta permaneció significativamente asociado con un bajo estatus social subjetivo en la etapa adulta con gradientes dosis-respuesta. La magnitud de estas asociaciones fue más fuerte para posición socioeconómico intra-individual que para el intergeneracional. Los resultados sugieren que el estatus social subjetivo en la etapa adulta es el resultado de un complejo proceso de desarrollo, donde se adquiere una autopercepción socioeconómica, que es intrínseca al estatus social subjetivo e incluye presente y pasado, así como experiencias individuales y familiares en el hogar.

Lack of association between depression and C-reactive protein level in the baseline of Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil).

BACKGROUND: Depression has been linked to increased levels of inflammatory markers in clinical studies, but results from general population samples are inconsistent. We aimed to investigate whether depression was associated with serum CRP levels in a cross-sectional analysis of a large cohort from a middle-income country. METHODS: We analyzed baseline data from 14,821 participants (35-74 years) of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). Current depression (last 7 days) was assessed by the Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised (CIS-R). Because individuals on antidepressants could be negative on CIS-R due to their therapeutic effect, the explanatory variable had three categories: (1) negative on CIS-R and not using antidepressant (reference); (2) negative on CIS-R but using antidepressant; (3) positive on CIS-R with/without antidepressant use. Associations with CRP were investigated by general linear model (GLM). RESULTS: After adjustments for confounders, neither current depression, nor antidepressant use was statistically associated with elevated CRP levels. Additionally, analyzes stratified by gender, type and severity of depression did not change the results. LIMITATIONS: The reference group in our analysis might include participants with a lifetime history of depression. Additionally, the exclusion of questions on weight fluctuation and appetite from the CIS-R applied in ELSA-Brasil may have slightly underestimated the prevalence of depression, as well as limited our ability to assess the presence of somatic symptoms. CONCLUSION: This study found no association between current depression, use of antidepressants, and serum CRP levels.

Mental disorders and employment status in the São Paulo Metropolitan Area, Brazil: gender differences and use of health services / Transtornos mentais e situação laboral na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo, Brasil: diferenças de gênero e uso de serviços de saúde / Trastornos mentales y situación laboral en la zona metropolitana de São Paulo, Brasil: diferencias de género y uso de servicios de salud

Abstract: Mental disorders are associated with employment status as significant predictors and as consequences of unemployment and early retirement. This study describes the estimates and associations of 12-month DSM-IV prevalence rates of mental disorders and use of health services with employment status by gender in the São Paulo Metropolitan Area, Brazil. Data from the São Paulo Megacity Mental Health Survey was analyzed (n = 5,037). This is a population-based study assessing the prevalence and determinants of mental disorders among adults, using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. The associations were estimated by odds ratios obtained through binomial and multinomial logistic regression. This study demonstrates that having mental disorders, especially mood disorders, is associated with being inactive or unemployed among men and inactive among women, but only having a substance use disorder is associated with being unemployed among women. Among those with mental disorders, seeking health care services is less frequent within unemployed.

Resumo: Os transtornos mentais estão associados à situação laboral enquanto preditores significativos e consequências do desemprego e da aposentadoria precoce. Este estudo estima as taxas de prevalência de transtornos mentais nos últimos 12 meses de acordo com o DSM-IV, além do uso de serviços de saúde e as associações com situação laboral de acordo com gênero na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo, Brasil. Foram analisados dados do São Paulo Megacity Mental Health Survey (n = 5.037), um estudo populacional que avalia a prevalência e determinantes dos transtornos mentais entre adultos, usando a Composite International Diagnostic Interview. As associações foram estimadas através de razões de prevalência, obtidas por regressão logística binomial e multinomial. O estudo mostra que os transtornos mentais, especialmente transtornos de humor estão associados à inatividade ou ao desemprego entre os homens e à inatividade entre as mulheres, com exceção aos transtornos devido ao uso de substâncias psicoativas que também estão associados ao desemprego em as mulheres. Entre os portadores de transtornos mentais, a busca de serviços de saúde é menos frequente entre os desempregados.

Resumen: Los trastornos mentales están asociados a la situación laboral, como predictores significativos por las consecuencias que provocan el desempleo y la jubilación precoz. Este estudio estima las tasas de prevalencia de trastornos mentales en 12 meses, de acuerdo con el DSM-IV, además del uso de servicios de salud y las asociaciones existentes con la situación laboral, de acuerdo con el género en el área metropolitana de São Paulo, Brasil. Se analizaron los datos del São Paulo Megacity Mental Health Survey (n = 5.037), un estudio poblacional que evalúa la prevalencia y determinantes de los trastornos mentales entre adultos, usando la Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Las asociaciones se estimaron con razones de prevalencia, obtenidas por la regresión logística binomial y multinomial. El estudio muestra que los trastornos mentales, especialmente los trastornos de humor, están asociados a la inactividad o al desempleo en hombres y a la inactividad en mujeres, pero que sólo el trastorno de consumo de sustancias está asociado al desempleo en mujeres. Entre los portadores de trastornos mentales, la búsqueda de servicios de salud es menos frecuente entre los desempleados.

Do Childhood Adversities Predict Suicidality? Findings from the General Population of the Metropolitan Area of São Paulo, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Childhood adversities have been associated with a number of medical and psychiatric outcomes. However, the reported effects that specific childhood adversities have on suicidality vary across studies. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional, stratified, multistage area probability investigation of a general population in Brazil, designated the São Paulo Megacity Mental Health Survey. The World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview was applied in 5037 individuals ≥ 18 years of age, in order to assess 12 different adversities occurring during childhood and/or adolescence, as well as to look for associations between those adversities and subsequent suicidality in different age strata. RESULTS: Over half of the respondents reported at least one childhood adversity. Only physical abuse was consistently associated with suicide attempts in all subsequent life stages (OR = 2.1). Among adults 20-29 years of age, the likelihood of a suicide attempt was correlated with parental divorce, whereas suicidal ideation was associated with prior sexual abuse. Among adults over 30 years of age, physical illness and economic adversity emerged as relevant childhood adversities associated with suicide attempts, whereas sexual abuse, family violence, and economic adversity were associated with suicidal ideation. CONCLUSION: Childhood adversities, especially physical abuse, are likely associated with unfavorable consequences in subsequent years. For suicidality across a lifespan, the role of different childhood adversities must be examined independently.

Incremental health expenditure and lost days of normal activity for individuals with mental disorders: results from the São Paulo Megacity Study.

BACKGROUND: With the recent increase in the prevalence of mental disorders in developing countries, there is a growing interest in the study of its consequences. We examined the association of depression, anxiety and any mental disorders with incremental health expenditure, i.e. the linear increase in health expenditure associated with mental disorders, and lost days of normal activity. METHODS: We analyzed the results from a representative sample survey of residents of the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo (n = 2,920; São Paulo Megacity Mental Health Survey), part of the World Mental Health (WMH) Survey Initiative, coordinated by the World Health Organization and performed in 28 countries. The instrument used for obtaining the individual results, including the assessment of mental disorders, was the WMH version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 3.0 (WMH-CIDI 3.0) that generates psychiatric diagnoses according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria. Statistical analyses were performed by multilevel generalized least squares (GLS) regression models. Sociodemographic determinants such as income, age, education and marital status were included as controls. RESULTS: Depression, anxiety and any mental disorders were consistently associated with both incremental health expenditure and missing days of normal activity. Depression was associated with an incremental annual expenditure of R$308.28 (95% CI: R$194.05-R$422.50), or US$252.48 in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP). Anxiety and any mental disorders were associated with a lower, but also statistically significant, incremental annual expenditure (R$177.82, 95% CI: 79.68-275.97; and R$180.52, 95% CI: 91.13-269.92, or US$145.64 and US$147.85 in terms of PPP, respectively). Most of the incremental health costs associated with mental disorders came from medications. Depression was independently associated with higher incremental health expenditure than the two most prevalent chronic diseases found by the study (hypertension and diabetes). CONCLUSIONS: The fact that individuals with mental disorders had a consistent higher health expenditure is notable given the fact that Brazil has a universal free-of-charge healthcare and medication system. The results highlight the growing importance of mental disorders as a public health issue for developing countries.

Use of psychotropic medications in São Paulo Metropolitan Area, Brazil: pattern of healthcare provision to general population.

PURPOSE: We estimate the proportion of psychotropic medication use (PMU) among adults in São Paulo Metropolitan Area, Brazil. We investigated whether socio-demographic factors, comorbidity, and disease severity influence PMU among individuals with psychiatric disorders. METHODS: Data are from the São Paulo Megacity Mental Health Survey, a cross-sectional, population-based study, the Brazilian branch of the World Mental Health Survey Initiative. Trained lay interviewers face-to-face assessed psychiatric disorders and PMU through the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Respondents were asked about use of healthcare service and prescribed medications for mental disorders in the previous year. Information on PMU was collected for 2935 adult residents in the area and among those with disorders who received treatment. RESULTS: Around 6% of respondents reported PMU in the past year: hypnotics or sedatives were used by 3.7% and antidepressants by 3.5%. Among individuals with 12-month disorders, only 14% reported past year PMU. Gender, age, education, income, occupational status, comorbidity, and severity were significant predictors for PMU. Among those with 12-month DSM-IV disorders who obtained treatment in healthcare settings, almost 40% received medication only. Among those treated in specialty mental health service, around 23% received combination of medication and psychotherapy. CONCLUSION: Our study has pointed out that the recent trend of access to mental healthcare in Brazil depicts unmet needs, characterized by a low prevalence of PMU among individuals with psychiatric disorders. Policies that improve appropriate access to prescribed drugs for those most in need are urgent public health priority.

Determinants of the use of health care services: multilevel analysis in the Metropolitan Region of Sao Paulo.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the individual and contextual determinants of the use of health care services in the metropolitan region of Sao Paulo. METHODS Data from the Sao Paulo Megacity study - the Brazilian version of the World Mental Health Survey multicenter study - were used. A total of 3,588 adults living in 69 neighborhoods in the metropolitan region of Sao Paulo, SP, Southeastern Brazil, including 38 municipalities and 31 neighboring districts, were selected using multistratified sampling of the non-institutionalized population. Multilevel Bayesian logistic models were adjusted to identify the individual and contextual determinants of the use of health care services in the past 12 months and presence of a regular physician for routine care. RESULTS The contextual characteristics of the place of residence (income inequality, violence, and median income) showed no significant correlation (p > 0.05) with the use of health care services or with the presence of a regular physician for routine care. The only exception was the negative correlation between living in areas with high income inequality and presence of a regular physician (OR: 0.77; 95%CI 0.60;0.99) after controlling for individual characteristics. The study revealed a strong and consistent correlation between individual characteristics (mainly education and possession of health insurance), use of health care services, and presence of a regular physician. Presence of chronic and mental illnesses was strongly correlated with the use of health care services in the past year (regardless of the individual characteristics) but not with the presence of a regular physician. CONCLUSIONS Individual characteristics including higher education and possession of health insurance were important determinants of the use of health care services in the metropolitan area of Sao Paulo. A better understanding of these determinants is essential for the development of public policies that promote equitable use of health care services.

Determinants of the use of health care services: multilevel analysis in the Metropolitan Region of Sao Paulo / Determinantes do uso de serviços de saúde: análise multinível da Região Metropolitana de São Paulo

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the individual and contextual determinants of the use of health care services in the metropolitan region of Sao Paulo. METHODS Data from the Sao Paulo Megacity study – the Brazilian version of the World Mental Health Survey multicenter study – were used. A total of 3,588 adults living in 69 neighborhoods in the metropolitan region of Sao Paulo, SP, Southeastern Brazil, including 38 municipalities and 31 neighboring districts, were selected using multistratified sampling of the non-institutionalized population. Multilevel Bayesian logistic models were adjusted to identify the individual and contextual determinants of the use of health care services in the past 12 months and presence of a regular physician for routine care. RESULTS The contextual characteristics of the place of residence (income inequality, violence, and median income) showed no significant correlation (p > 0.05) with the use of health care services or with the presence of a regular physician for routine care. The only exception was the negative correlation between living in areas with high income inequality and presence of a regular physician (OR: 0.77; 95%CI 0.60;0.99) after controlling for individual characteristics. The study revealed a strong and consistent correlation between individual characteristics (mainly education and possession of health insurance), use of health care services, and presence of a regular physician. Presence of chronic and mental illnesses was strongly correlated with the use of health care services in the past year (regardless of the individual characteristics) but not with the presence of a regular physician. CONCLUSIONS Individual characteristics including higher education and possession of health insurance were important determinants of the use of health care services in the metropolitan area of Sao Paulo. A better understanding of these determinants is essential for the development of public policies ...

OBJETIVO Analisar os determinantes individuais e contextuais do uso de serviços de saúde na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo. MÉTODOS Foram utilizados os dados do estudo São Paulo Megacity, a versão brasileira da pesquisa multicêntrica World Mental Health Survey. Foram analisados 3.588 indivíduos adultos residentes em 69 áreas da Região Metropolitana de São Paulo, SP (38 municípios adjacentes e 31 subprefeituras do município de São Paulo), selecionados por meio de amostragem multiestratificada da população não institucionalizada. Foram ajustados modelos multinível logísticos Bayesianos para identificar os determinantes individuais e contextuais do uso de serviços de saúde nos últimos 12 meses e a presença de médico de referência para cuidados de rotina. RESULTADOS As características contextuais do local de residência (desigualdade de renda, violência e renda mediana) não apresentaram associação significativa (p > 0,05) com o uso de serviços ou com a presença de médico de referência para cuidados de rotina. A única exceção foi a associação negativa entre residir em uma área com alta desigualdade de renda e a presença de médico de referência (OR 0,77; IC95% 0,60;0,99) após controle das características individuais. O estudo apontou uma forte e consistente associação entre algumas características individuais (principalmente escolaridade e presença de plano de saúde) com o uso de serviços de saúde e ter médico de referência. A presença de doenças crônicas e mentais associou-se fortemente com o uso de serviços no último ano (independentemente de características individuais), mas não com a presença de médico de referência. CONCLUSÕES Características individuais como maior escolaridade e ter plano de saúde foram determinantes importantes do uso de serviços de saúde na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo. A melhor compreensão desses determinantes é necessária para o desenvolvimento de políticas públicas que permitam o uso equitativo dos serviços ...

Does income inequality get under the skin? A multilevel analysis of depression, anxiety and mental disorders in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: Test the original income inequality theory, by analysing its association with depression, anxiety and any mental disorders. METHODS: We analysed a sample of 3542 individuals aged 18 years and older selected through a stratified, multistage area probability sample of households from the São Paulo Metropolitan Area. Mental disorder symptoms were assessed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria. Bayesian multilevel logistic models were performed. RESULTS: Living in areas with medium and high-income inequality was statistically associated with increased risk of depression, relative to low-inequality areas (OR 1.76; 95% CI 1.21 to 2.55, and 1.53; 95% CI 1.07 to 2.19, respectively). The same was not true for anxiety (OR 1.25; 95% CI 0.90 to 1.73, and OR 1.07; 95% CI 0.79 to 1.46). In the case of any mental disorder, results were mixed. CONCLUSIONS: In general, our findings were consistent with the income inequality theory, that is, people living in places with higher income inequality had an overall higher odd of mental disorders, albeit not always statistically significant. The fact that depression, but not anxiety, was statistically significant could indicate a pathway by which inequality influences health.

Family burden related to mental and physical disorders in the world: results from the WHO World Mental Health (WMH) surveys.

OBJECTIVE: To assess prevalence and correlates of family caregiver burdens associated with mental and physical conditions worldwide. METHODS: Cross-sectional community surveys asked 43,732 adults residing in 19 countries of the WHO World Mental Health (WMH) Surveys about chronic physical and mental health conditions of first-degree relatives and associated objective (time, financial) and subjective (distress, embarrassment) burdens. Magnitudes and associations of burden are examined by kinship status and family health problem; population-level estimates are provided. RESULTS: Among the 18.9-40.3% of respondents in high, upper-middle, and low/lower-middle income countries with first-degree relatives having serious health problems, 39.0-39.6% reported burden. Among those, 22.9-31.1% devoted time, 10.6-18.8% had financial burden, 23.3-27.1% reported psychological distress, and 6.0-17.2% embarrassment. Mean caregiving hours/week was 12.9-16.5 (83.7-147.9 hours/week/100 people aged 18+). Mean financial burden was 15.1% of median family income in high, 32.2% in upper-middle, and 44.1% in low/lower-middle income countries. A higher burden was reported by women than men, and for care of parents, spouses, and children than siblings. CONCLUSIONS: The uncompensated labor of family caregivers is associated with substantial objective and subjective burden worldwide. Given the growing public health importance of the family caregiving system, it is vital to develop effective interventions that support family caregivers.

Family burden related to mental and physical disorders in the world: results from the WHO World Mental Health (WMH) surveys

Objective: To assess prevalence and correlates of family caregiver burdens associated with mental and physical conditions worldwide. Methods: Cross-sectional community surveys asked 43,732 adults residing in 19 countries of the WHO World Mental Health (WMH) Surveys about chronic physical and mental health conditions of first-degree relatives and associated objective (time, financial) and subjective (distress, embarrassment) burdens. Magnitudes and associations of burden are examined by kinship status and family health problem; population-level estimates are provided. Results: Among the 18.9-40.3% of respondents in high, upper-middle, and low/lower-middle income countries with first-degree relatives having serious health problems, 39.0-39.6% reported burden. Among those, 22.9-31.1% devoted time, 10.6-18.8% had financial burden, 23.3-27.1% reported psychological distress, and 6.0-17.2% embarrassment. Mean caregiving hours/week was 12.9-16.5 (83.7-147.9 hours/week/100 people aged 18+). Mean financial burden was 15.1% of median family income in high, 32.2% in upper-middle, and 44.1% in low/lower-middle income countries. A higher burden was reported by women than men, and for care of parents, spouses, and children than siblings. Conclusions: The uncompensated labor of family caregivers is associated with substantial objective and subjective burden worldwide. Given the growing public health importance of the family caregiving system, it is vital to develop effective interventions that support family caregivers. .