Mental disorders among adolescents in Abancay: A comparison of two independent population-based surveys, 2010 and 2016

Vargas-Murga H.; Luna-Solis Y.; Vargas-Suárez K. · Acta Medica Peruana (2026) · DOI: 10.35663/amp.2026.432.4226

Resumen

Objective: To compare the estimated prevalence of mental disorders among urban adolescents in Abancay, Peru, in two independent population-based surveys conducted in 2010 and 2016, and to describe differences by sex. Materials and methods: This was an observational, analytical, cross-sectional study based on secondary data from epidemiological mental health surveys. Adolescents aged 12 to 17 years living in the urban area of Abancay were included (2010: n=725; 2016: n=718), selected through three-stage cluster probability sampling. Mental disorders were assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), Spanish version adapted to ICD-10. Prevalences and 95% confidence intervals were estimated, and the Rao-Scott F test was used for complex samples. Results: Higher prevalences were observed in 2016 for moderate-to-severe depressive episodes (9.5% vs. 2.1%; p<0.001), generalized anxiety disorder (7.6% vs. 2.8%; p=0.001), and psychotic symptoms detected through MINI screening (29.6% vs. 3.7%; p<0.001). Social phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and eating-disorder tendencies did not show statistically significant differences. Conclusions: The observed differences suggest a higher prevalence of selected mental health problems in 2016; however, they should be interpreted cautiously because of the cross-sectional design, comparisons of independent samples, limited sociodemographic characterization, and potential sources of confounding. These findings support strengthening early detection and community-based adolescent mental health care with territorial, intercultural, and gender-sensitive approaches.

Instituciones: Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia