[The prevalence of mental illness in primary care and its relation to the degree of consultation frequency].

OBJECTIVE

To establish the prevalence of psychic malaise within the population that consults the general medical clinic of our health center and the relationship between that prevalence and the frequency of consultation.

DESIGN

Transversal descriptive study applying the GHQ test (28 items) to a sample obtained by mathematical sampling, using a questionnaire to collect sociodemographic data. SITE. The Health Center Segovia II (La Albuera) during November and December 1991.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS

360 patients over the age of fifteen were selected; 252 answered the test.

MAIN MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Considering the GHQ test as positive when score seven or more, a prevalence of psychic malaise of 33% was obtained. We found a statistically significant relationship between positive GHQ test and the frequency of consultation (p < 0.001) and female gender (p < 0.01). No statistically significant relationship was found between psychic malaise and the following variables: age, marital status, educational level and occupation.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a high prevalence of psychic malaise within the population attending our general practice which can produce an increase in the demand. A biopsychosocial approach to all patients, with the aim of identifying that kind of problem and approaching it adequately, could reduce the use of health resources.