SAÚDE MENTAL NO BRASIL: ASSOCIAÇÕES ENTRE VARIÁVEIS SOCIODEMOGRÁFICAS E COMPORTAMENTAIS

Abstract

Introduction: Mental disorders have a substantial impact on global public health, negatively affecting individuals' quality of life and social and economic functionality. Objective: To analyze the association of sociodemographic factors and lifestyle habits with the occurrence of mental disorders in adults residing in Brazil. Method: A cross-sectional study used data from the National Health Survey (PNS) of 2019. Sociodemographic and behavioral variables, such as sex, age, race, education, smoking, and consumption of ultra-processed foods, were investigated. Using Poisson regression analyses, factors associated with mental disorders in the total sample were explored. A significance level of p<0.05 was established. Results were presented as Adjusted Prevalence Ratio (AdjPR) with respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results: In this study with 88,531 adults, 6.5% (95% CI: 6.1-6.8) reported mental disorders. Variations in the prevalence of mental disorders by sex were observed, with higher rates among women (AdjPR = 2.04; 95% CI: 1.84-2.26). Significant associations were found between a higher incidence of mental disorders and younger age (18 to 24 years: AdjPR = 1.50; 95% CI: 1.23-1.82; 25 to 39 years: AdjPR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.37-1.82; and 40 to 59 years: AdjPR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.40-1.80), white race (AdjPR = 1.54; 95% CI: 1.31-1.81), higher education (ranging from AdjPR = 1.21; 95% CI: 1.07-1.38 for completed high school/incomplete higher education to AdjPR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.26-1.67 for completed higher education or more), absence of a partner (AdjPR = 1.29; 95% CI: 1.17-1.42), and urban residence (AdjPR = 1.35; 95% CI: 1.17-1.56). Former smokers and current smokers also exhibited a higher incidence compared to non-smokers (AdjPR = 1.35; 95% CI: 1.22-1.50 and AdjPR = 1.33; 95% CI: 1.16-1.51, respectively). Conclusion: The results highlight the influence of sociodemographic and behavioral factors on mental disorders in Brazilian adults, including female sex, young age, white race, higher education, absence of a partner, and urban residence. Former smokers and smokers also showed higher incidence. These findings emphasize the need for mental health policies to promote well-being and reduce the prevalence of these disorders in the adult population of Brazil.