Prevalence of delusional ideation in a district in southwestern Uganda.
BACKGROUND
Population-based prevalence studies suggest that psychosis is a continuum distributed in the general population.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence of delusional ideation in young healthy individuals in a low-income country setting (Uganda) and to investigate possible relevant background factors.


METHODS
Interviews were conducted in a district capital and in three rural villages, using the Peters et al. Delusions Inventory (PDI-21).


RESULTS
Levels of delusional ideation and associated levels of distress, preoccupation, and conviction were higher than in studies conducted in Europe. Higher PDI-21 scores were associated with younger age and with urban residence. The urban effect was stronger in persons with a higher level of education.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the factors that contribute to population differences in levels of delusional ideation are currently unknown, the results suggest that urban residence may be an important influence.
Lundberg
Patric
P
Department of Community Medicine, Lund University, University Hospital UMAS, S-205 02 Malmö, Sweden. patric.lundberg@smi.mas.lu.se
Cantor-Graae
Elizabeth
E
Kabakyenga
Jerome
J
Rukundo
Godfrey
G
Ostergren
Per-Olof
PO
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003469:Culture; D003702:Delusions / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data