[Epidemiological study in mental health: health services use and perception of social support]

Objective The general aim of this non-probabilistic epidemiologic study is to detect the levels of mental health symptoms and social support for the residents of two neighborhoods in the General Belgrano district in Guaymallén, Mendoza Province, Argentina. Methods A random sample of 62 adults was selected, in which the proportionality of age and sex were conserved in each quota. Each person was interviewed in his/her house using the Cuestionario Epidemiológico de Sintomatología Mental [Epidemiological Questionnaire on Mental Health Symptoms] (CESIM) and the Cuestionario de Apoyo Social Comunitario Percibido [Questionnaire on Perceived Community Social Support]. In addition, participants were asked about sociodemographic factors, self-rated mental health symptoms andv visits to services specializing in this area. Results The results show that unemployment, a low educational level and a marital status of separation or divorce were related to high symptoms in the mental health area. In groups with high symptoms, few visits to health services were identified. Conclusions No relationship was found between the social support indicators and the level of symptoms.