Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of DSM-III-R mental disorders among the homeless in Madrid: a European study using the CIDI.
The characteristics of homeless people in Europe are almost unknown. The aim of this study was to describe the lifetime and 12-month prevalence of DSM-III-R/CIDI mental disorders among the homeless population of Madrid. A total of 261 homeless subjects, sampled from different sites, participated in the study. In terms of DSM-III-R lifetime rates, 50% of the sample had substance-related disorders and 35% had non-substance-related disorders. In total, 67% of the study subjects had some type of disorder. The lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia (4%) was lower than reported in most previous studies. Although the mental illness pattern is similar to that observed in studies using the same diagnostic methods, the results reported here show a lower prevalence of drug abuse and schizophrenic disorders. The reasons for these cultural differences and their implications for international public health research are discussed.
Vázquez
C
C
School of Psychology, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain.
Muñoz
M
M
Sanz
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011157:Population Dynamics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology