BMC Public Health
Volume 9, 2009

Uptake of health services for common mental disorders by first-generation Turkish and Moroccan migrants in the Netherlands (Article) (Open Access)

Fassaert T.* , De Wit M.A.S. , Verhoeff A.P. , Tuinebreijer W.C. , Gorissen W.H. , Beekman A.T. , Dekker J.
  • a Department of Epidemiology Documentation and Health Promotion, Municipal Health Service, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Department of Social Medicine, Academic Medical Centre (AMC/UvA), Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • b Department of Epidemiology Documentation and Health Promotion, Municipal Health Service, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • c Department of Epidemiology Documentation and Health Promotion, Municipal Health Service, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • d Department of Public Mental Health Care, Municipal Health Service, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • e Arkin Academy, Arkin Mental Health Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • f Department of Psychiatry, VU University, Amsterdam, Netherlands, GGZ InGeest, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • g Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Research Department, Arkin Mental Health Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Abstract

Background. Migration and ethnic minority status have been associated with higher occurrence of common mental disorders (CMD), while mental health care utilisation by non-Western migrants has been reported to be low compared to the general population in Western host countries. Still, the evidence-base for this is poor. This study evaluates uptake of mental health services for CMD and psychological distress among first-generation non-Western migrants in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Methods. A population-based survey. First generation non-Western migrants and ethnic Dutch respondents (N = 580) participated in structured interviews in their own languages. The interview included the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) and the Kessler psychological distress scale (K10). Uptake of services was measured by self-report. Data were analysed using weighting techniques and multivariate logistic regression. Results. Of subjects with a CMD during six months preceding the interview, 50.9% reported care for mental problems in that period; 35.0% contacted specialised services. In relation to CMD, ethnic groups were equally likely to access specialised mental health services. In relation to psychological distress, however, Moroccan migrants reported less uptake of primary care services (OR = 0.37; 95% CI = 0.15 to 0.88). Conclusion. About half of the ethnic Dutch, Turkish and Moroccan population in Amsterdam with CMD contact mental health services. Since the primary purpose of specialised mental health services is to treat "cases", this study provides strong indications for equal access to specialised care for these ethnic groups. The purpose of primary care services is however to treat psychological distress, so that access appears to be lower among Moroccan migrants.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

information processing rating scale Netherlands mood disorder immigrant primary medical care anxiety disorder mental health service human Self Report middle aged controlled study Turkey (republic) Aged language ethnology Mental Health Services Mental Disorders interview mental disease Humans ethnic difference male female population research psychologic test Article health care utilization major clinical study adult migration health care access structured interview Turkey distress syndrome Utilization Review Emigration and Immigration Data Collection Morocco health survey
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-69949182492&doi=10.1186%2f1471-2458-9-307&partnerID=40&md5=b9c39a14b2ef4c070b25caaf5bb71a09
DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-9-307
ISSN: 14712458
Cited by: 23
Original Language: English