Predicting Women’s Utilization of Primary Care Mental Health Services in Mexico City

Abstract

Objective To analyze factors associated with and predicting Mexican women seeking primary care mental health services (PCMHS) and provide suggestions to increase PCMHS utilization. Method We administered a questionnaire to (N = 456) female patients in Mexico City primary care clinics. We conducted chi-square analyses of seeking PCMHS and: socio-demographic variables, perceptions of and experiences with PCMHS. Our results and literature review guided our logistic regression model. Results Women referred to a mental health provider (MHP; [OR] = 10.81, 95% CI = 3.59–32.51), whose coping mechanisms included talking to a MHP (OR = 5.53, CI = 2.10–14.53), whose primary worry is loneliness (OR = 8.15, CI = 1.20–55.10), and those who follow doctor’s orders; were more likely to seek PCMHS (OR = 0.28, CI = 0.09–0.92). Conclusions Primary care providers play a fundamental role in women’s decisions to seek PCMHS. Proper referrals to PCMHS should be encouraged.

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“…The number of service users shows the quality of the services provided [15]. Government health services as a provider of mental health services play a fundamental role in the decision to seek treatment and are able to predict coping mechanisms [16].…”