Globalization and the health of migrant workers in Chile

Chile leads South America in trade globalization and is reaping both its problems and benefits. As a results thousand of migrant workers from neighboring countries have migrated to Chile. According to 2002 census, 67,8% of the immigrants living in Chile are South Americans (Stefoni, C. 2002), most of them from poorer countries, currently living in difficult conditions with low salaries and long working hours. This presentation will report on findings of study on the mental health status of migrant workers attending a PHC facility in Santiago. Objectives: describe the prevalence of mental health problems documented and undocumented immigrants attending a PHC center. Methods. A cross-sectional survey conducted at a health center with a large immigrant population in North Santiago in November 2007. The sample included 282 center clients. PTSD was assessed through the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) and comorbid psychiatric syndromes by the Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-R). Participants were immigrants from any country, 15 years or older, living in Santiago. Results. 6,38% of the immigrant population were diagnosed with PTSD, 44,5% of them had comorbid psychiatric syndromes, which is 3,6% of the total sample. Within the ones diagnosed with PTSD and comorbid psychiatric syndromes 16,7% had severe depression; 11,1% had panic syndrome; 5,5% OCD and 11,1% mixed anxiety/depressive disorder. Results were compared with those found in general population (Vicente B. 2002). Conclusion: higher incidence of mental health problems among migrant than on general population. This suggests that there are risk factors influencing it.