The incidence of first contact schizophrenia in Jamaica.
BACKGROUND
Afro-Caribbean immigrants are reported to have a high rate of schizophrenia compared with other population groups.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Hickling
F W
FW
Faculty of Medical Science, University of the West Indies.
Rodgers-Johnson
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007563:Jamaica / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology