Measuring use of services for mental health problems in epidemiological surveys

作者：Sevilla Dedieu Christine^*; Kovess Masfety Viviane; Angermeyer Matthias; Bruffaerts Ronny; Fernandez Anna; De Girolamo Giovanni; De Graaf Ron; Maria Haro Josep; Koenig Hans Helmut

来源：International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, 2011, 20(3): 182-191.

DOI：10.1002/mpr.346

• use of care
• methods of data collection
• survey
• mental health

The use of services formental problems is generally reported as being relatively low. However, the methods used for data collection in surveys may have influenced the quality of self-reported service use. This study compares the information on recourse to physicians for mental problems reported in different sections of a survey conducted in six European countries. Thus, 5545 respondents were asked questions on contacts with physicians at least twice: (1) after the symptoms checklist in any completed diagnostic section, and (2) in a section devoted to use of care for mental problems. Of these 39.3% reported contacts with physicians about mental problems in the diagnostic sections, whereas 29.5% did so in the use-of-care section. Inconsistencies concerned 20.1% of participants, among whom those reporting consultations in diagnostic sections without reporting them in the use-of-care section represented the majority (74.4%). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age, marital status, educational level and country were associated with under-reporting in the use-of-care section, as well as having mood or sleep problems. In conclusion, services used for mental health reasons when measured through a question referring to use of care due to the presence of a mental problem may underestimate the care people received for their problems.

• 出版日期2011-9