Determinants of poor mental health in people aged 16 to 64 residing in a large city

Background. Know what factors determine the poor mental health in the city of Madrid. Material and methods. Cross-sectional study Health Survey of the City of Madrid (ESCM'05), analyzed 5746, persons aged 16 to 64 years, in the years 2004-2005. Dependent variable was obtained from the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), was considered score above 2. Independent variables included sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, health and environmental issues. The quality of life related to health (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), immigrant economic 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 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 OR=1.18 (1.15-1.22), and limited social activities OR=1.34 (1.07-1.69). Conclusions. The mental health problems are highly prevalent in this city. Being woman, young, economic migrant, worse lifestyles, poor quality of life refered or limited social activities are the factors that force to explain the association with poor mental health.