Reducing the duration of untreated psychosis and changing help-seeking behaviour in Singapore.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to examine the impact of early detection strategies of an early psychosis intervention programme on the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) and the pattern of help-seeking behaviour.


METHODS
Patients with first-episode psychosis were compared before and after the initiation of a programme of public education and networking with primary health care providers. These two groups were compared on the DUP and the change in the pattern of help-seeking.


RESULTS
The DUP was significantly reduced from a median of 12 to median of 4 months (p=0.002, Mann-Whitney U-test). There was an increase in the proportion of self and family referrals, and a fall in the proportion of police referrals.


CONCLUSIONS
Awareness campaigns which target multiple groups and use various modes of communication are effective in influencing the DUP and patterns of help-seeking.
Chong
Siow-Ann
SA
Institute of Mental Health, Woodbridge Hospital, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore, 539747, Singapore. siow_ann_chong@imh.com.sg
Mythily
S
S
Verma
Swapna
S
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors