| Learning Objective #1: Discuss mental health needs and problems identified by health consumers in primary care settings | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Describe factors that might influence clients' utilization of mental health services in primary care settings |
This study purported to describe mental health needs and problems in primary care settings. The goal was to provide baseline data for designing and implementing culturally acceptable and affordable mental health-integrative services that are accessible to culturally diverse clientele in a US-Mexico border city.
Using a descriptive-correlational design, and, guided by Andersen's Model of Health Service Use, data were gathered from 400 predominantly female and low –income Mexican-American clients who sought services in two primary care settings in southwest Texas. With the use of the Spanish version of a researcher-developed structured interview-questionnaire, they shared their perceptions of mental health problems and mental health care, intentions to utilize mental health services if offered in primary care settings, barriers to utilization of these services, and suggestions for making mental health care more accessible and acceptable. Two trained community health workers conducted the interviews.
Quantitative and qualitative analyses of findings revealed that study participants' perceptions of mental health problems and care were similar to those held by health care professionals, especially on the need to seek professional help for mental health problems. Significantly, 97 % were likely to use mental health services if offered in primary care settings. Regression analysis showed that education and satisfaction with primary care services were major predictors of potential mental health service utilization.
The study concluded that mental health services are likely to be utilized by regular users of primary care services . Drawing from Andersen's model, education and cultural factors are important determinants of potential utilization of this service which is further enhanced by the perceived need for mental health care.
This study raised pertinent implications on health policies related to providing preventive mental health service delivery in primary care settings.