Gender and ethnic differences in urban and rural first-contact schizophrenia outpatients in Trinidad.
This study investigated gender and ethnic differences in the rate of first contact outpatients with schizophrenia in the setting of a more-urban region (MUR) and a less-urban region (LUR) in Trinidad. In a prospective study, 134 first-contact patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia were selected from two ecologically different regions.


RESULTS
Of this population, 56.7% were of African origin and 32.1% were of Indian descent. Gender differences were significant, with males accounting for 66.4% (n=89) of patients with schizophrenia (chi2 = 14.45, d.f. = 1, p = 0.0001). Further analysis by age categories revealed a significant male predominance at ages 20-24 (p = 0.0001) and 25-29 (p = 0.002). Young African males (15-19 y, p = 0.049) predominated in MUR compared with LUR. The results showed a marked presence of Afro-Trinidadian males in both outpatient clinics (p < 0.05). We conclude that gender and ethnicity are important variables in the presentation of schizophrenia in Trinidad, whereas neither rural nor urban environments appeared to influence the expression of schizophrenia.
Maharajh
H D
HD
Psychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medical Sciences, University of West-Indies, Champ Fleurs Trinidad, West Indies. drharim@cariblink.net
Konings
M
M
Baboolal
N S
NS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D014300:Trinidad and Tobago / Q000453:epidemiology; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*