[Offenses related to alcohol consumption in Mexico (1964-1984)]. / Delitos relacionados con el consumo de alcohol en México (1964-1984).

Existing data series related to sentences pronounced upon offenders in Mexican courts of law are presented in this paper: Offenses committed were either of a misdemeanour nature, or of a federal criminal nature. In both types of offenses, magistrates discovered that offenders had been under the influence of alcohol when committing the misdemeanour or crime involved. Regression and correlation analysis were carried out upon such data series, and other variables of an economic nature as well. Results show that there exists an almost perfect correlation (.90, .96, .97) between both factors.

Delitos relacionados con el consumo de alcohol en México (1964-1984). / [Offenses related to alcohol consumption in Mexico (1964-1984)]

Existing data series related to sentences pronounced upon offenders in Mexican courts of law are presented in this paper: Offenses committed were either of a misdemeanour nature, or of a federal criminal nature. In both types of offenses, magistrates discovered that offenders had been under the influence of alcohol when committing the misdemeanour or crime involved. Regression and correlation analysis were carried out upon such data series, and other variables of an economic nature as well. Results show that there exists an almost perfect correlation (.90, .96, .97) between both factors.

[The needs of the population and the development of mental health services]. / Necesidades de la población y desarrollo de servicios de salud mental.

In 1988, the World Health Organization (WHO) invited the Mexican Institute of Psychiatry to participate in a multicentric collaborative four year programme including two basic projects. The first, entitled "Pathway study" for which a geographical area of Mexico city was selected, in which two psychiatric services of different institutions served the population. All new patients seen in a five week period were interviewed by an assistant researcher obtaining information about the following: a) onset of the actual episode of illness; b) the first and subsequent decisions to seek care; c) symptoms presented on each decision; d) treatments offered; e) time elapsed since onset of the disorder until the first decision to seek care; f) time elapsed from the latter until arriving to the psychiatric service and g) psychiatric diagnosis. This report presents the results, comparing both institutions, which differed on the socioeconomic status of the population served, as well as on some of the pathology presented. The time elapsed between the onset of the disorder and the first decision to seek care was different for the disorders and the kind of population. The delay between the first seek of care and the arrival to psychiatric services also showed differences. Strategies for intervention for both institutions are discussed as well as the utility of the research model used.

[Adjusted rates of the incidence of mental disorders in 2 populations in general clinical practice]. / Tasas adjustadas de prevalencia de trastornos mentales en dos poblaciones en práctica médica general.

The present study compares the rates of mental disorder prevalence by means of a direct adjustment method applied in two populations with different socio-demographic characteristics. One, from a private-general hospital with prevalence rates ranging from 25.96% to 40.02% and the other from a health center with rates ranging from 43.1% to 59.1%. In both studies the methodology and the instruments used were similar. Ecological studies have shown that socio-demographic differences exert an important influence on the prevalence. That is the reason for applying a direct adjustment method of rates prevalence to correct the effect of differences from structural population. The results obtained after the rate adjustment reduced considerably such differences.

Tasas adjustadas de prevalencia de trastornos mentales en dos poblaciones en práctica médica general. / [Adjusted rates of the incidence of mental disorders in 2 populations in general clinical practice]

The present study compares the rates of mental disorder prevalence by means of a direct adjustment method applied in two populations with different socio-demographic characteristics. One, from a private-general hospital with prevalence rates ranging from 25.96

to 40.02

and the other from a health center with rates ranging from 43.1

to 59.1

. In both studies the methodology and the instruments used were similar. Ecological studies have shown that socio-demographic differences exert an important influence on the prevalence. That is the reason for applying a direct adjustment method of rates prevalence to correct the effect of differences from structural population. The results obtained after the rate adjustment reduced considerably such differences.