THE EXPERIENCE OF DISCRIMINATION AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH HYPERTENSION, OBESITY , ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION IN PRIMARY CARE

Introduction and objective: Discrimination consists of a raw deal motivated by identity characteristics or belonging to a specific group and minorities are the main target of these actions. Research has demonstrated that discrimination experience produced significant negative effect on the physical and mental health, producing higher levels of stress. The aim of this paper was to study the relationship between physical illness, anxiety and depression, and discrimination in patients treated in Primary Health at Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Methodology: It is a cross-sectional study of 1466 patients between 18 and 65 years. To assess the diagnosis of physical illness was completed questionnaire by the doctor / nurse and for detection of mental disorders was used the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. And to assess the discrimination we used the general questionnaire that collected data on the perception of participants on discrimination. Results and conclusion: It has been found that the association pattern was different among the diagnoses hypertension, obesity, anxiety and depression. Statistically significant associations occurred between hypertension and discrimination and this negative, whereas between obesity, anxiety and depression associations discrimination were all positive.