Health Service Utilization and Perceptions of Mental Health Care Among Mexican American Women in a U.S.-Mexico Border City: A Pilot Study

This descriptive-exploratory study sought to determine health service utilization patterns, perceptions of mental health care, and potential utilization of mental health services among 40 Mexican American women in a U.S.-Mexico border city. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of interview data indicate high utilization rates of primary care services, affirmation of the likelihood of using mental health services if offered within a primary care setting, and satisfaction and positive ratings of quality of services received. This pilot study illustrates the applicability of Andersen\u27s behavioral model of health services use to sociodemographics, accessibility, affordability, availability of culturally acceptable care, and perceived health needs and provides preliminary data that could lead to a larger study of potential utilization of mental health services by Mexican Americans within primary care settings