Prevalence of common mental disorders in mothers in the semiarid region of Alagoas and its relationship with nutritional status

Abstract

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Compromised maternal mental health (MMH) is considered to be a risk factor for child malnutrition in low income areas. Psychosocial variables associated with MMH are potentially different between urban and rural environments. The aim here was to investigate whether associations existed between MMH and selected sociodemographic risk factors and whether specific to urban or rural settings. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study on a representative population sample of mothers from the semiarid region of Alagoas. METHODS: Multistage sampling was used. The subjects were mothers of children aged up to 60 months. MMH was evaluated through the Self-Reporting Questionnaire-20. Mothers' nutritional status was assessed using the body mass index and waist circumference. Univariate analysis used odds ratios (OR) and chi-square. Logistic regression was performed separately for urban and rural subsamples using MMH as the dependent variable. RESULTS: The sample comprised 288 mothers. The prevalences of common mental disorders (CMD) in rural and urban areas were 56.2% and 43.8%, respectively (OR = 1.03; 95% CI: 0.64-1.63). In univariate analysis and logistic regression, the variable of education remained associated with MMH (OR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.03-4.6) in urban areas. In rural areas, the variable of lack of partner remained associated (OR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.01-6.7). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of CMD is high among mothers of children aged up to two years in the semiarid region of Alagoas. This seems to be associated with lower educational level in urban settings and lack of partner in rural settings.

Common mental disorders and associated factors: a study of women from a rural area

“…A "good" relationship with a partner decreases the woman's chances of having CMD by 84%, as well as each year of schooling by 12%. A study developed in the rural area of Alagoas found no significant association of CMD with the variables of education level, age and number of children after logistic regression analysis; the variable that maintained association in this study was not having a partner (9) . In relation to education level, the results agree with studies carried out in urban areas and with the study carried out with rural women in Pakistan, where after multiple regression analysis, the variables of education level, not having a partner/companion and having four or more children were associated with the SRQ score (the lower the education level, the higher the SRQ score) (24) .…”

“…In relation to education level, the results agree with studies carried out in urban areas and with the study carried out with rural women in Pakistan, where after multiple regression analysis, the variables of education level, not having a partner/companion and having four or more children were associated with the SRQ score (the lower the education level, the higher the SRQ score) (24) . We emphasize that in this cited study, the score rather than the prevalence was verified, as similar to our study.2 -Association between sociodemographic, economic, behavioral and reproductive health variables and CMD in rural women in a multiple logistic regression model -Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2014-In a study conducted in the semi-arid urban region of Alagoas, education level was associated with CMD (9) . Data evidenced in Feira de Santana after multiple logistic regression analysis confirmed the association between domestic overload and CMD, adjusted for income, education level and leisure activities (25) .…”

“…In a study conducted in the semi-arid urban region of Alagoas, education level was associated with CMD (9) . Data evidenced in Feira de Santana after multiple logistic regression analysis confirmed the association between domestic overload and CMD, adjusted for income, education level and leisure activities (25) .…”

“…A study conducted among rural women residing in Rio Grande do Norte found a prevalence of 43.6% (10) . Another national study carried out with mothers from the semi-arid region of Alagoas found CMD prevalence of 56.2% in the rural area, being higher when compared to the urban prevalence which was 43.8% (9) . Moreover, a study in the area of Zona da Mata in Pernambuco identified prevalence of CMD among the participating population (men and women) of 36.0%, and among women it was 44.17% (5) .…”

“…Some Brazilian studies have shown the prevalence of CMD in women in urban areas to be: 33.8% (8) , 37.9% (6) , 41.7% (3) , 52.1% (7) . Considering the few national studies with women in the rural context, the prevalence of CMD in women is high for this population group -56.2% (9) , 44.17%…”