Volume 13, Issue 1 (Jan & Feb 2023)                   J Research Health 2023, 13(1): 11-18 | Back to browse issues page


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1- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Science, Gonabad, Iran.
2- Social Development & Health Promotion Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Science, Gonabad, Iran.
3- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, School of Public Health, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.
4- Research Center for Environmental Determinants of Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
5- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran. , shahab.rezayan@gmail.com
Abstract:   (862 Views)
Background: Limited information still exists about the distribution of mental health (MH) in small districts. Considering the diversity in cultural specifications of entities in different societies, the current study aimed-assess the inequality of poor MH and corresponding socio-demographic components in a general population.
Methods: This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Gonabad City, North Eastern Iran. Data were collected by a general health questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) assess MH status, considering a cut-off point of 23. The concentration index defines the inequality in the MH. Decomposition analysis was done-identify the contribution of each explanatory variable-the socioeconomic inequality in MH prevalence.
Results: Eight hundred subjects were recruited (response rate=98%); approximately 41.6% were aged 30 years or younger, half of whom were females. The overall prevalence of poor MH was 24.7% (95% CI: 21.8-27.9%) and the age-adjusted prevalence of poor MH was 27.5% (95% CI: 24.2-31.2%). A concentration of poor MH prevalence was observed among the poorest people (concentration index: -0.15). Socioeconomic Status (SES) (59.7%), age (24.1%), and gender (4.7%) were identified as the main contributors-socioeconomic-related inequality in poor MH prevalence.
Conclusion: Poor MH is significantly concentrated among the poorest people. Therefore, SES appeared-play a key role in improving the health of individuals, which can lead-improved health status in a community. Furthermore, these data suggest that the MH initiative should target the elderly and women via a recently determined family physician plan in Iran. 
 
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Type of Study: Orginal Article |
Received: 2020/02/26 | Accepted: 2020/12/26 | Published: 2023/01/1

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