PSYCHIATRIC MORBIDITY IN PRIMARY HEALTH-CARE IN SANTIAGO, CHILE

Background. The aims were to determine the prevalence of psychiatric m orbidity among primary care attenders in a poor suburb of Santiago and to study the relationship with health service use. Method. A cross-se ctional survey was made of 163 consecutive attenders to a primary care clinic. Results. Eleven per cent of the sample gave a psychological r eason for consultation and the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity was 53%, defined using the revised Clinical Interview Schedule. Women and those of lower socio-economic status were at higher risk. Physicians recognised 14% of the psychiatric morbidity. Attenders with psychiatri c morbidity consulted more frequently. Conclusions. There is a need to improve the recognition and management of psychiatric morbidity in pr imary care in Chile and other less developed countries. This could lea d to the more efficient use of scarce health care resources in primary care.