[Prevalence of mental symptoms in the Sahrawi refugees in Tindouf camps, Algeria, determined using the Goldberg General Health Questionnaire 28]. / Prevalencia de síntomas mentales entre los refugiados saharauis en Tinduf, Argelia, utilizando el Cuestionario de Salud General Goldberg 28.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of psychopathological symptoms among Saharawi refugees and the influence of sociodemographic factors on the phenotypic expression of mental disorders. DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive study. LOCATION: Primary and hospital health care. PARTICIPANTS: 383 participants over 18 years of age, 59.8% women and 40.2% men, with a mean age of 37.2 (SD = 13.0), from the Laayoune camp, and from the Rabuni National Hospital. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive, cross-sectional and analytical study was carried out between January and August 2017. Participants were selected by consecutive sampling. The main variable was the presence of mental symptoms, measured with the Goldberg General Health Questionnaire - 28. A descriptive analysis of each sociodemographic variable (age, sex, educational level, occupation) and its association with the main variable was carried out using Logistic regression. RESULTS: 43.3%, 95%CI (38.4-48.3) obtained a score that suggests the presence of mental symptoms. Women presented a mean score higher than men, in subscales A (somatic symptoms) and in subscale B (anxiety). Age over 50 years and having no educational level were associated with a higher probability of having mental symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that the prevalence of mental symptoms among Saharawi refugees is high, and reinforces the need for more scientific research in the field of mental health to put the prevention of mental disorders and the promotion of mental health in the focus of health policy.

Prevalencia de síntomas mentales entre los refugiados saharauis en Tinduf, Argelia, utilizando el Cuestionario de Salud General Goldberg 28 / Prevalence of mental symptoms in the Sahrawi refugees in Tindouf camps, Algeria, determined using the Goldberg General Health Questionnaire 28

Objetivo: Estimar la prevalencia de síntomas psicopatológicos entre los refugiados saharauis y la influencia de factores sociodemográficos en la expresión fenotípica de los trastornos mentales. Diseño: Estudio descriptivo transversal. Emplazamiento: Atención primaria y hospitalaria de salud. Participantes: Trescientos ochenta y tres (383) participantes mayores de 18 años, 59,8% mujeres y 40,2% hombres, con una media de edad del 37,2 (DE = 13,0), del campamento del Aaiún y del Hospital Nacional de Rabuni. Método: Se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo transversal y analítico entre enero y agosto de 2017. Los participantes se seleccionaron por muestreo consecutivo. La variable principal fue la presencia de síntomas mentales, medida con el Cuestionario General de Salud de Goldberg-28. Se hizo un análisis descriptivo de cada variable sociodemográfica (edad, sexo, nivel de estudios, ocupación) y su asociación con la variable principal mediante regresión logística. Resultados: El 43,3%, IC 95% (38,4-48,3) obtuvo puntuación que sugiere la presencia de síntomas mentales. Las mujeres presentaron una puntuación media superior a los hombres, en las subescalas A (síntomas somáticos) y en la subescala B (ansiedad). Se asociaron con mayor probabilidad de tener síntomas mentales la edad mayor de 50 años y no tener nivel de estudios. Conclusiones: El estudio pone de manifiesto que la prevalencia de síntomas mentales entre los refugiados saharauis es alta, y refuerza la necesidad de más investigaciones científicas en el campo de la salud mental para poner la prevención de los trastornos mentales y la promoción de la salud mental en el foco de las políticas sanitarias.(AU)

Objective: To assess the prevalence of psychopathological symptoms among Saharawi refugees and the influence of sociodemographic factors on the phenotypic expression of mental disorders.Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Location: Primary and hospital health care. Participants: 383 participants over 18 years of age, 59.8% women and 40.2% men, with a mean age of 37.2 (SD = 13.0), from the Laayoune camp, and from the Rabuni National Hospital. Methodology: A descriptive, cross-sectional and analytical study was carried out between January and August 2017. Participants were selected by consecutive sampling. The main variable was the presence of mental symptoms, measured with the Goldberg General Health Questionnaire - 28. A descriptive analysis of each sociodemographic variable (age, sex, educational level, occupation) and its association with the main variable was carried out using Logistic regression. Results: 43.3%, 95%CI (38.4-48.3) obtained a score that suggests the presence of mental symptoms. Women presented a mean score higher than men, in subscales A (somatic symptoms) and in subscale B (anxiety). Age over 50 years and having no educational level were associated with a higher probability of having mental symptoms. Conclusions: The study shows that the prevalence of mental symptoms among Saharawi refugees is high, and reinforces the need for more scientific research in the field of mental health to put the prevention of mental disorders and the promotion of mental health in the focus of health policy.(AU)