Common Mental Disorders in Colombian Women

Abstract

Objective

To explore the prevalence of common mental disorders and their association with health-related behaviors in Colombian women.

Method

A cross-sectional study was carried out with a multi-stage probability sample of women from the general population. Common mental disorders were explored with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) with a cut-off point of eleven or more. Non conditional logistic regression was computed to adjust associated variables.

Results

A total of 1,740 women participated in this research. The mean age of participants was 38.3 years (SD=13.3), mean years of education were 8.8 years (SD=3.9), 59.5% were married, 37.0% were employed, 1.4% reported abusive alcohol consumption, 6.3% daily cigarette smoking, 44.5% daily coffee intake, 17.5% a medical condition, and 15.7% (95% CI 14.0–17.4) scored for a common mental disorder. Abusive alcohol consumption (OR=6.4, 95% CI 2.7–15.2), daily cigarette smoking (OR=3.3, 95% CI 2.1–5.0), medical condition (OR=2.0, 95% CI 1.4–2.8), and daily coffee intake (OR=1.3, 95% CI 1.0–1.8) were associated with common mental disorders, adjusted for age and education.

Conclusions

Common mental disorders are frequent in Colombian women. Health risk behaviors and stressful events are strongly related to common mental disorders. It is necessary to identify and treat these mental disorders early on to reduce health risk behaviors in women.

Resumen

Objetivo

Explorar la prevalencia y variables asociadas a trastornos mentales comunes en mujeres de Bucaramanga, Colombia.

Método

Se realizó un estudio transversal. Además, se tomó de la población general una muestra probabilística multietápica de mujeres. Los trastornos mentales comunes se cuantificaron con el Cuestionario General de Salud (GHQ-12). Las variables asociadas se ajustaron mediante regresión logística.

Resultados

Participaron 1.740 mujeres. La media para la edad fue 38,3 años (DE=13,3) y para la escolaridad, 8,8 años (DE=3,9). El 59,5% estaba casada, el 37% era empleada, el 1,4% informó consumo abusivo de alcohol, el 6,3% consume cigarrillos diariamente, el 44,5% toma café todos los días, el 17,5% posee una condición médica conocida y 15,7% (IC 95%: 14,0–17,4) puntuó para un trastorno mental común. El consumo abusivo de alcohol (OR=6,4; IC 95%: 2,7–15,2), consumo diario de cigarrillo (OR=3,3; IC 95%: 2,1–5,0), presentación de una condición médica (OR=2,0; IC 95%: 1,4–2,8) y consumo diario de café (OR=1,3; IC95%: 1,0–1,8) se asociaron estadísticamente a trastornos mentales comunes, con ajuste por edad y educación.

Conclusiones

Los trastornos mentales comunes son frecuentes en mujeres de Bucaramanga, Colombia. Comportamientos relacionados con la salud (consumo abusivo de alcohol, consumo diario de cigarrillo y consumo diario de café) y eventos estresores (condición médica) se relacionan significativamente con trastornos mentales comunes.