Prevalência de problemas de saúde mental na infância na atenção primária

• Main Author: Sá, Daniel Graça Fatori de
• Publication Date: 2018
• Other Authors: Brentani, Alexandra Valeria Maria, Grisi, Sandra Josefina Ferraz Elllero, Miguel, Eurípedes Constantino, Graeff-Martins, Ana Soledade
• Format: Article
• Language: por
• Source: Repositório Institucional da UFRGS
• Download full: http://hdl.handle.net/10183/206729
• topic: Atenção primária à saúde; Saúde pública; Criança; Epidemiologia; Estudos transversais; Prevalência; Saúde mental; Brasil; Primary care; Public health; Child; Epidemiology; Cross-sectional studies; Brazil

The present population study aimed at identifying the prevalence of mental health problems (MHP) and describing health services use in a sample of children attending Primary Healthcare Units (PHU) in the city of Sao Paulo. Caregivers of 825 6-11 years old children were assessed. MHP were assessed with the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire and health services use with an adapted version of the Client Receipt Inventory Children`s version. Prevalence of internalizing and externalizing MHP was 30.7% and 18.3%, respectively. Pediatricians were the most consulted health professional (56.7%) and psychologists the most consulted mental health professional (7.9%). Only 3 children were under medication treatment for MHP. The high prevalence of MHP among children in the primary care setting and the low rate of treatment constitute a public health problem. Training programs for health professionals are relevant to help identify and refer MHP cases.