[Mental disorders among immigrants in Chile].

Authors :: Rojas G
Fritsch R
Castro A
Guajardo V
Torres P
Díaz B
Source :: Revista medica de Chile [Rev Med Chil] 2011 Oct; Vol. 139 (10), pp. 1298-304. Date of Electronic Publication: 2012 Jan 03.
Publication Year :: 2011
Abstract: Background: Chile is receiving immigrant populations coming from other Latin-American countries.<br />Aim: To determine the prevalence of Common Mental Disorders (CMD) among immigrants who live in Independencia, a quarter in Santiago, Chile.<br />Material and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in the primary health care clinic and in the state-funded school of Independencia. A representative sample of 282 adults and 341 children were interviewed. Mental disorders were diagnosed using CIS-R and MINI structured interviews.<br />Results: The interviewed immigrants came mostly from Peru. The prevalence of mental disorders in the adult population was 17.8% and among children, it was 29.3%.<br />Conclusions: The adult immigrants have a lower prevalence of mental disorders than the Chilean population but it increases among children. Barriers of access to health services, that should be solved, were detected.