Ora Nakash1, Maayan Nagar2, Eli Danilovich3, Daphne Bentov-Gofrit3, Ido Lurie4, Evelyne Steiner5, Shiri Sadeh-Sharvit5, Henri Szor4, Itzhak Levav6. 1. School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya, Israel onakash@idc.ac.il. 2. School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya, Israel. 3. The Jerusalem Mental Health Center, Jerusalem, Israel. 4. Outpatient Clinic, Abarbanel Mental Health Center, Bat-Yam, Israel. 5. Hanotrim Mental Health Clinic, Shalvata Mental Health Center, Raanana, Israel. 6. Department of Community Mental Health, Faculty of Social Welfare & Health Sciences, Haifa University, Israel.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Contrasting social status of ethnic groups differentially impacts the use of psychiatric services, including in Israel, despite its universal health system. However, relevant studies are limited. AIMS: To examine ethnic differences in mental health treatment gap and in access to specialized care. METHODS: Data were gathered from two sources. Study I included Mizrahi (Jews of North African/Asian origin, socially disadvantaged, n = 136) and Ashkenazi (Jews of European American origin, socially advantaged, n = 69) who were diagnosed with common mental disorders in the preceding 12 months in the Israeli component of the World Mental Health Survey. Study II included Mizrahi (n = 133) and Ashkenazi (n = 96) service users entering ambulatory mental health care. RESULTS: Study I showed that the treatment gap was larger among Mizrahi compared with Ashkenazi respondents (28% standard error (SE) = 4.1 and 45% SE = 6.2, respectively, sought services) following adjustment for sociodemographic confounders (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1-4.8). Study II showed that the access to specialized care lagged over a year among 40% of service users of both ethnic groups. No significant ethnic differences emerged in variables related to delay in accessing care. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment gap was larger among ethnically disadvantaged compared with the advantaged group. However, once in treatment, service users of both ethnic groups report similar barriers to care.
BACKGROUND: Contrasting social status of ethnic groups differentially impacts the use of psychiatric services, including in Israel, despite its universal health system. However, relevant studies are limited. AIMS: To examine ethnic differences in mental health treatment gap and in access to specialized care. METHODS: Data were gathered from two sources. Study I included Mizrahi (Jews of North African/Asian origin, socially disadvantaged, n = 136) and Ashkenazi (Jews of European American origin, socially advantaged, n = 69) who were diagnosed with common mental disorders in the preceding 12 months in the Israeli component of the World Mental Health Survey. Study II included Mizrahi (n = 133) and Ashkenazi (n = 96) service users entering ambulatory mental health care. RESULTS: Study I showed that the treatment gap was larger among Mizrahi compared with Ashkenazi respondents (28% standard error (SE) = 4.1 and 45% SE = 6.2, respectively, sought services) following adjustment for sociodemographic confounders (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1-4.8). Study II showed that the access to specialized care lagged over a year among 40% of service users of both ethnic groups. No significant ethnic differences emerged in variables related to delay in accessing care. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment gap was larger among ethnically disadvantaged compared with the advantaged group. However, once in treatment, service users of both ethnic groups report similar barriers to care.
Authors: Katja Çilenti; Shadia Rask; Marko Elovainio; Eero Lilja; Hannamaria Kuusio; Seppo Koskinen; Päivikki Koponen; Anu E Castaneda Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-02-24 Impact factor: 3.390