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. 2007 Sep;97(9):1638-43.
doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2006.090985. Epub 2007 Jul 31.

Delay of first treatment of mental and substance use disorders in Mexico

Guilherme Borges  1 , Philip S Wang, Maria Elena Medina-Mora, Carmen Lara, Wai Tat Chiu
Affiliations

Delay of first treatment of mental and substance use disorders in Mexico

Guilherme Borges et al. Am J Public Health. 2007 Sep.

Abstract

Objectives: We studied failure and delay in making initial treatment contact after the first onset of a mental or substance use disorder in Mexico as a first step to understanding barriers to providing effective treatment in Mexico.

Methods: Data were from the Mexican National Comorbidity Survey (2001-2002), a representative, face-to-face household survey of urban residents aged 18 to 65 years. The age of onset for disorders was compared with the age of first professional treatment contact for each lifetime disorder (as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition).

Results: Many people with lifetime disorders eventually made treatment contact, although the proportions varied for mood (69.9%), anxiety (53.2%), and substance use (22.1%) disorders. Delays were long: 10 years for substance use disorders, 14 years for mood disorders, and 30 years for anxiety disorders. Failure and delay in making initial treatment contact were associated with earlier ages of disorder onset and being in older cohorts.

Conclusions: Failure to make prompt initial treatment contact is an important reason explaining why there are unmet needs for mental health care in Mexico. Meeting these needs will likely require expansion and optimal allocation of resources as well as other interventions.

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Figures

FIGURE 1—
FIGURE 1—
Percentage of respondents who received initial treatment contact since the first onset of a mental or substance use disorder, by group of disorders: Mexico National Comorbidity Survey, 2001–2002.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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