[Homeless persons residing in shelters in the county of Funen II. Comparison between 1990 and 1996 and occurrence of mental disease].
The question has been raised whether the change from hospital to community psychiatry is accompanied by an increasing number of the mentally ill in institutions for homeless people. During week 49, 1996, the residents in institutions for homeless people in the County of Funen were interviewed and diagnosed according to ICD-8, and the results were compared with a similar study from week 47, 1990. The prevalence of psychoses was 11% in 1990 and 14% in 1996. This difference was not significant. Significantly fewer psychotic homeless people were treated for their psychotic disorders in 1996 compared with 1990. The prevalence of alcoholics had fallen by 35%, while the prevalence of narcotics and cannabis addicts had risen by 78% and 110%, respectively. These changes were statistically significant. There was still a high prevalence of personality disorders, 70% in 1990 and 60% in 1996. Even though the deinstitutionalization of the psychiatric service has not been accompanied by more psychotic patients in institutions for the homeless, the clientele is still heavily strained with psychosis, personality disorder and substance abuse.
Balsløv
K D
KD
Psykiatrisk afdeling P, Odense Universitetshospital.
Thomsen
R L
RL
Benjaminsen
S E
SE
Petersen
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D005260:Female; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012112:Residential Facilities; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires