[Profile of a population of consultants in child psychiatry and access to care by gender].

Background: Access to care in mental health is a fundamental element in the monitoring and care of children and adolescents.

Aim: The objective of this work was to draw up the demographic and clinical characteristics of a population of consultants in child psychiatry and to investigate possible gender inequalities in access to care.

Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study concerning a sample of 730 children and adolescents having consulted child psychiatry department in Tunis and Monastir during a period of 4 months (April-July on 2006). Data were collected through a questionnaire administered to the relatives of patients consulting these various structures.

Results: 66 % of consulting were boys. In 55 % of cases, the mother, alone, accompanied the child to the consultation. The request of care emanated in the majority of the cases from parents and doctors. On average ran out 18 months before the first medical visit and 26 months before the first psychiatric consultation. Multiple medical consultations precede the meeting with the child psychiatrist. We have not found difference in the care of children and adolescents according to gender. Only the period preceding the first medical consultation for psychiatric symptoms was longer in girls compared to boys.

Conclusion: Access to care structures was easy and even in cases of geographical remoteness parents did not seem to privilege boys over girls.