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The Incidence of First Contact Schizophrenia in Jamaica

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Frederick W. Hickling  and
Pamela Rodgers-Johnson
Frederick W. Hickling*
Affiliation:
Psychotherapy Associates, Kingston, Jamaica, and Faculty of Medical Science, University of the West Indies
Pamela Rodgers-Johnson
Affiliation:
Faculty of Medical Science, University of the West Indies
*
Dr F. W. Hickling, Psychotherapy Associates, 23 Connelly Avenue, Kingston 4, Jamaica. Fax: (809) 922 1608.
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Abstract

Background

Afro-Caribbean immigrants are reported to have a high rate of schizophrenia compared with other population groups.

Method

In a prospective first contact study of schizophrenia in Jamaica in 1992, 335 patients were examined using the Present State Examination.

Results

285 patients were evaluated as having a PSE ‘restrictive’ S + diagnosis of schizophrenia, and 32 as having a ‘broad’ S?, P, or O diagnosis of schizophrenia. With a population of 2.46 million, this represents a first-contact incidence rate for ‘restrictive’ schizophrenia of 1.16 per 10 000 population, and an age-corrected (15–54) incidence rate of 2.09 per 10 000.

Conclusion

Incidence rates for schizophrenia in Jamaica are lower than those reported in Afro-Caribbean immigrants in the UK and Holland, and within the reported range for other population groups worldwide.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 167 , Issue 2 , August 1995 , pp. 193 - 196
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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