HOSPITALIZATION OF ADULTS FOR MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS IN BRAZIL IN THE LAST 10 YEARS

Abstract

Mental and behavioral disorders (MBDs) contribute to an increase in hospital admissions among the adult population, placing a strain on health care services. The objective of this study is to analyze the profile of adult hospitalizations due to mental and behavioral disorders in Brazil over the past 10 years.  This is an analytical ecological study using secondary data from the SUS Hospital Information System (SIH/SUS) for the period from 2015 to 2024. Inferential and temporal trend statistical analyses were performed using the chi-square test, a 5% significance level, and a 95% confidence interval, with adjusted residuals. A total of 2,064,197 hospitalizations for TMC were recorded, with higher frequencies among males (61.0%), in the 30–39 age group (26.2%), and among white individuals (42.3%); the Southeast Region accounted for the highest number of hospitalizations (39.1%). Emergency hospitalizations (85.3%) and outpatient discharge (99.4%) were predominant, with schizophrenia being the most frequent diagnosis (32.0%). There was a significant difference between the analyzed periods (2015–2019 and 2020–2024) in the nature of care and in morbidities (p < 0.001).  Hospitalizations for TMC in Brazil remained high, underscoring the need to strengthen preventive measures and expand the country's psychosocial care network.