International Journal of Culture and Mental Health
Volume 9, Issue 2, 2016, Pages 151-163

Depressive symptoms among patients at a clinic in the red light district of Tijuana, Mexico (Article)

Ferraiolo N. , Pinedo M. , McCurley J. , Burgos J.L. , Vargas-Ojeda A.C. , Rodriguez M.A. , Ojeda V.D.*
  • a University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, United States
  • b Alcohol Research Group, University of California, Berkeley, United States
  • c San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego, United States
  • d Division of Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, United States
  • e Postgraduate Studies and Research Department, School of Medicine and Psychology, Autonomous University of Baja California, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
  • f Department of Family Medicine/UCLA Blum Center on Poverty and Health in Latin America, University of California, Los Angeles, United States
  • g Division of Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, United States

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Little is known about depression among structurally vulnerable groups living in Tijuana (e.g., migrants, deportees, substance users, sex workers, homeless people) who may be at high risk for poor mental health. This study investigates the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms among vulnerable patients receiving services at a free clinic in Tijuana, Mexico. A convenience sample of 584 adult Mexican patients completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire in English or Spanish that included the 8-item NIH PROMIS depression short form and measures of individual, social and structural factors affecting health. The prevalence of clinically significant depressive symptoms in our sample was 55%. In the multivariate analysis, female gender, poor/fair self-rated health, recent illicit drug use (past six months), feeling rejected (past six months), history of forced sex and history of violence were independently associated with increased odds of experiencing depressive symptoms. When stratified by gender, we found important differences in significant factors, including recent illicit drug use in men and deportation in women. Among study participants, prevalence of depressive symptoms exceeds prevalence rates reported elsewhere in the US-Mexico border region. These findings suggest that public health efforts to support mental health services in the border region are needed. © 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Author Keywords

Migrants Border health Mental health Latinos PROMIS depression short form

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84962523726&doi=10.1080%2f17542863.2016.1144776&partnerID=40&md5=26eab2f76bfb6298c3d7bbe54c8862a3

DOI: 10.1080/17542863.2016.1144776
ISSN: 17542863
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English