Prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of schizophrenia in Beijing, China.
OBJECTIVE
There has been no large-scale survey of schizophrenia in China involving both rural and urban areas using standardized assessment tools and diagnostic criteria. This study aimed to determine the lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia and its socio-demographic correlates in Beijing, China.


METHODS
A total of 5926 subjects were randomly selected in Beijing and interviewed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 1.0). Basic socio-demographic and clinical data were collected during the interviews.


RESULTS
The lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia was 0.49%, and 0.44% and 0.55% for men and women, respectively. Unmarried status, lower monthly income, urban abode and positive family history were associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia; 9.7% of the subjects with lifetime schizophrenia reported a history of suicide attempts. The percentage of subjects with schizophrenia who were receiving treatment and their preference to seek treatment from mental health professionals were 58% and 29%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
National surveys are urgently needed to further explore the prevalence of schizophrenia in China. The low percentage of subjects treated for schizophrenia is a serious public health issue that should be addressed in the near future.
Xiang
Yu-Tao
YT
Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. xyutly@cuhk.edu.hk
Ma
Xin
X
Cai
Zhuo-Ji
ZJ
Li
Shu-Ran
SR
Xiang
Ying-Qiang
YQ
Guo
Hong-Li
HL
Hou
Ye-Zhi
YZ
Li
Zhen-Bo
ZB
Li
Zhan-Jiang
ZJ
Tao
Yu-Fen
YF
Dang
Wei-Min
WM
Wu
Xiao-Mei
XM
Deng
Jing
J
Lai
Kelly Y C
KY
Ungvari
Gabor S
GS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012847:Single Person / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data