The relationship between type of mental health provider and met and unmet mental health needs in a nationally representative sample of HIV-positive patients

Abstract Background This study assessed the prevalence of unmet health needs of the elderly and the associated factors regarding socioeconomic, health and functional status. Methods A secondary analysis of the 2013 National Health Survey data was conducted on a representative sample of 3540 persons aged sixty-five and older (the lowest response rate was 99.7%). Participants characteristics such as socioeconomic status, health self-perception, diagnosed chronic disease, physical functional limitations, performing essential daily activities in the home and daily personal care were explored with logistic regression analysis (Odds Ratio - OR and 95% Confidence Interval) in relation to five aspects of unmet health needs. Results 15.8% participants had unmet health needs due to the long waiting times, 16.1%, had unmet needs for medical care, 17.7% for dental care, 15.2% for drugs prescription and 96.9% participants for mental health care. Common predictors exist for medical, dental drug prescription and due to long waiting times unmet needs including older age years, middle education, rural residence, lower wealth index, single persons, with average or bad self-perceived health, chronic disease and difficult daily performance of personal care and of home activities. Unmet mental health needs by 61% less likely had participants with average wealth index, while a greater likelihood had participants with average and bad self-perceived health by 3.7 times and 8.4 times (p = 0.035, p = 0.001) respectively, by 6.2 times those with difficulties (p < 0.001) and by 5.9 times unable (p = 0.045) to perform daily activities of personal care and by 1.7 times those with difficulties (p = 0.037) to perform home activities. Conclusions Unmet health needs reported less than 20% of the elderly but almost all have unmet mental health needs. Unmet health needs are associated with negative health outcomes, age, low education level, single persons, rural settings, poorer households, and limited daily activities. Key messages Unmet mental health needs of the elderly are an extremely important problem for the health system and healthy ageing in Serbia. A strong association of unmet health needs of old, low educated elderly without partners, from rural settings and poor households with health and functional outcomes, requires responsive policies.

Download Full-text

Exploring Cancer Screening in the Context of Unmet Mental Health Needs: A Participatory Pilot Study

Progress in Community Health Partnerships Research Education and Action ◽

10.1353/cpr.2013.0023 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 111-113 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Abigail Williams ◽

Jennifer Erb-Downward ◽

Emilie Bruzelius ◽

Ellen O'Hara-Cicero ◽

Alison Maling ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Health Needs ◽

Mental Health Needs ◽

Unmet Mental Health

Download Full-text

Commentary: Metaknowledge is power: envisioning models to address unmet mental health needs: reflections on Kazdin (2019)

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry ◽

10.1111/jcpp.13034 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 60 (4) ◽

pp. 473-476 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Bruce F. Chorpita

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Needs ◽

Mental Health Needs ◽

Unmet Mental Health

Download Full-text

Unmet mental health needs in the general population: perspectives of Belgian health and social care professionals

International Journal for Equity in Health ◽

10.1186/s12939-020-01287-0 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Eva Rens ◽

Geert Dom ◽

Roy Remmen ◽

Joris Michielsen ◽

Kris Van den Broeck

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Primary Care ◽

Health Care ◽

General Population ◽

Mental Health Care ◽

Unmet Needs ◽

Health Needs ◽

Mental Health Needs ◽

Epidemiological Research ◽

Unmet Mental Health

Abstract Background An unmet mental health need exists when someone has a mental health problem but doesn’t receive formal care, or when the care received is insufficient or inadequate. Epidemiological research has identified both structural and attitudinal barriers to care which lead to unmet mental health needs, but reviewed literature has shown gaps in qualitative research on unmet mental health needs. This study aimed to explore unmet mental health needs in the general population from the perspective of professionals working with vulnerable groups. Methods Four focus group discussions and two interviews with 34 participants were conducted from October 2019 to January 2020. Participants’ professional backgrounds encompassed social work, mental health care and primary care in one rural and one urban primary care zone in Antwerp, Belgium. A topic guide was used to prompt discussions about which groups have high unmet mental health needs and why. Transcripts were coded using thematic analysis. Results Five themes emerged, which are subdivided in several subthemes: (1) socio-demographic determinants and disorder characteristics associated with unmet mental health needs; (2) demand-side barriers; (3) supply-side barriers; (4) consequences of unmet mental health needs; and (5) suggested improvements for meeting unmet mental health needs. Conclusions Findings of epidemiological research were largely corroborated. Some additional groups with high unmet needs were identified. Professionals argued that they are often confronted with cases which are too complex for regular psychiatric care and highlighted the problem of care avoidance. Important system-level factors include waiting times of subsidized services and cost of non-subsidized services. Feelings of burden and powerlessness are common among professionals who are often confronted with unmet needs. Professionals discussed future directions for an equitable mental health care provision, which should be accessible and targeted at those in the greatest need. Further research is needed to include the patients’ perspective of unmet mental health needs.

Download Full-text