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Epidemiology of Schizophrenia in Salford, 1974–84 Changes in an Urban Community over Ten Years

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

J. S. Bamrah ,
H. L. Freeman  and
D. P. Goldberg
J. S. Bamrah*
Affiliation:
Bridgewater Hospital, Green Lane, Eccles, Manchester M30 0RL
H. L. Freeman
Affiliation:
University of Salford; Editor, British Journal of Psychiatry, 17 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PG
D. P. Goldberg
Affiliation:
University Hospital of South Manchester, Manchester M20 8LR
*
∗Correspondence
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Abstract

The prevalence and inception rates of treated schizophrenia in the population of inner-city Salford were compared with those from a similar survey, ten years earlier. Data were obtained from a computerised case register and a postal questionnaire sent to GPs, and case notes rated on the SCL and screened using ICD–9. The point-prevalence rate of 6.26 per 1000 adult population was higher than that previously reported (4.56), despite decreases in total inception rate and in the general population. Changes in rates are presumed to be related primarily to population movements and ageing of the schizophrenic sample. Compared with 1974, the numbers of in-patient days and long-stay in-patients had fallen substantially by 1984, although annual admissions increased over the decade; day-patient and out-patient attendances, and extramural contacts with psychiatrists, community psychiatric nurses, and social workers had also increased. Almost 62% of cases were maintained on depot injections as out-patients in 1984. Over 75% of identified schizophrenic patients were in contact with psychiatrists, but only 7 out of 557 were solely in contact with their GP. In spite of the emphasis on community care, responsibility for schizophrenic patients was still carried overwhelmingly by hospital psychiatric services.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 159 , Issue 6 , December 1991 , pp. 802 - 810
Copyright
Copyright © 1991 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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