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Conclusions. Reallocation of mental health services may be a result of expanding Medicaid eligibility. (Am J Public Health. 2001;91:1431-1434) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This paper describes utilization of mental health services by poor Puerto Ricans living on the island. It examines the utilization rates, within health sectors, and settings for the provision of mental health services. Methods. Data are based on an islandwide probability sample of 18- to 64-year old respondents living in low socioeconomic areas. We assessed need with the Psychiatric Symptom and Dysfunction Scales. Results: Approximately one-third of our study population (31.5%) met criteria for need. Of these, only 32% had received any mental health care in the past year. Need was significantly associated with use of physical or mental health services for mental health problems. We found those who needed services to be five times more likely than those who did not need services to have used one or both sectors of care at least once in the past year. Among the first group 21.8% used the physical health sector to deal with mental health problems in contrast with 17.9% who sought care in the mental health sector. In the physical health sector, subjects used the public and private settings equally. In the mental health sector, 70% of subjects used the public setting. Conclusions: This suggests the nonpsychiatric physician as a main provider for mental health treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the association of depressive symptoms with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and risk behaviors among 127 sex workers. Data were obtained by a structured interview and blood specimens tested for HIV. Findings showed a high prevalence rate of depressive symptoms for all sex workers regardless of HIV infection status. Results of a logistic regression analysis indicated that the use of injected drugs and engaging in unprotected intercourse with clients were strongly associated with a high level of depressive symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We examined the prevalence of depressive, anxiety, and substance use disorders among Latinos residing in the United States., Methods: We used data from the National Latino and Asian American Study, which included a nationally representative sample of Latinos. We calculated weighted prevalence rates of lifetime and past-year psychiatric disorders across different sociodemographic, ethnic, and immigration groups., Results: Lifetime psychiatric disorder prevalence estimates were 28.1% for men and 30.2% for women. Puerto Ricans had the highest overall prevalence rate among the Latino ethnic groups assessed. Increased rates of psychiatric disorders were observed among US-born, English-language-proficient, and third-generation Latinos., Conclusions: Our results provide important information about potential correlates of psychiatric problems among Latinos that can inform clinical practice and guide program development. Stressors associated with cultural transmutation may exert particular pressure on Latino men. Continued attention to environmental influences, especially among third-generation Latinos, is an important area for substance abuse program development.

Objectives: We examined correlates and rates of past-year mental health service use in a national sample of Latinos residing in the United States., Methods: We used data from the National Latino and Asian American Study, a national epidemiological household survey of Latinos., Results: Cultural factors such as nativity, language, age at migration, years of residence in the United States, and generational status were associated with whether or not Latinos had used mental health services. However, when the analysis was stratified according to past-year psychiatric diagnoses, these associations held only among those who did not fulfill criteria for any of the psychiatric disorders assessed. Rates of mental health service use among those who did not fulfill diagnostic criteria were higher among Puerto Ricans and US-born Latinos than among non-Puerto Ricans and foreign-born Latinos., Conclusions: Rates of mental health service use among Latinos appear to have increased substantially over the past decade relative to rates reported in the 1990s. Cultural and immigration characteristics should be considered in matching mental health services to Latinos who need preventive services or who are symptomatic but do not fulfill psychiatric disorder criteria.