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

Abstract

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