The Camden schizophrenia surveys. II. High prevalence of schizophrenia in an inner London borough and its relationship to socio-demographic factors.
BACKGROUND
Investigation of the geographical distribution of schizophrenia and its relationship to socio-demographic factors is useful for planning services.


METHODS
Individuals with schizophrenia (n = 980) were identified by key informants within an inner London borough and point prevalence calculated for broad, Feighner and DSM-III-R schizophrenia. The distribution of cases was tested for significant variation using the Poisson process model. Regression models using the Jarman-8 score and its component variables were tested for their ability to predict the prevalence of schizophrenia.


RESULTS
A high point prevalence of schizophrenia (5.3 per 1000 resident population) was demonstrated. Case distribution showed a marked and significant variation associated with socio-demographic factors. The prediction of prevalence was more accurate for broad than for narrower definitions of schizophrenia; unemployment rate performed best.


CONCLUSIONS
Unemployment rates and Jarman-8 scores may provide crude estimates for resource allocation in planning mental health services, highlighting the need for additional services in deprived inner city areas.
Harvey
C A
CA
Charing Cross & Westminster Medical School, Academic Unit, Horton Hospital, Epsom, Surrey.
Pantelis
C
C
Taylor
J
J
McCabe
P J
PJ
Lefevre
K
K
Campbell
P G
PG
Hirsch
S R
SR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012919:Social Behavior; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*