Factores que determinan la mala salud mental en las personas de 16 a 64 años residentes en una gran ciudad

Background. To identify what factors determine poor mental health in the city of Madrid. Material and methods. Cross-sectional study using the Health Survey of the City of Madrid (ESCM'05); 5,746 persons were analyzed, aged 16 to 64 years, in the years 2004-2005. The dependent variable was a score above 2 in the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Independent variables included socio-demographic factors, lifestyle, health and environmental factors. Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) was measured with the questionnaire COOP / WONCA. Results. The overall prevalence of poor mental health was 19.2%, p <0.05 for gender, age group 16 to 24 years, and lower social classes. The predictors most strongly associated with poor mental health in the multiple regression are: women OR=1.48 (1.23-1.78), minors OR=3.21 (2.40-4.29), economic immigrant OR=1.33 (1.06-1.68), smoking or drinking alcohol OR=1.22 (1.02 -1.49) and 1.31 (1.09 -1.57), chronic disease OR=1.47 (1.21 -1.79), sleeping less than 8 hours OR=1.41 (1.17 -1.68), having fair or poor health status perception OR=1.65 (1.22-2.22), self-perceived poor quality of life HRQOL OR=1.18 (1.15-1.22), and limited social activities OR=1.34 (1.07 -1.69) . Conclusions. Mental health problems are highly prevalent in this city. Being a woman, young, an economic migrant, leading worse lifestyles, referring to poor quality of life, or having limited social activities are the factors that explain poor mental health.