Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gxg78 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T01:08:26.967Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Delusional ideation and manic symptoms in potential future emigrants in Uganda

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 December 2006

PATRIC LUNDBERG ,
ELIZABETH CANTOR-GRAAE ,
MAUREEN KAHIMA  and
PER-OLOF ÖSTERGREN
PATRIC LUNDBERG
Affiliation:
Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, University Hospital UMAS, Malmö, Sweden
ELIZABETH CANTOR-GRAAE
Affiliation:
Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, University Hospital UMAS, Malmö, Sweden
MAUREEN KAHIMA
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
PER-OLOF ÖSTERGREN
Affiliation:
Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, University Hospital UMAS, Malmö, Sweden
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background. The cause of increased schizophrenia rates among immigrants in Europe is unknown. This study explores psychotic features in persons aspiring and actively planning to emigrate, prior to their potential emigration.

Method. Potential future emigrants and controls in Kampala (Uganda) were screened for delusional ideation and manic symptoms, using the Peters et al. Delusions Inventory (PDI) and mania items from the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI).

Results. Aspirations regarding emigration were associated with increased delusional ideation compared with controls (p=0·01), whereas active plans regarding emigration were not. Neither aspiring nor actively planning to emigrate was associated with increased manic symptoms. Subjects with increased delusional ideation also had increased manic symptoms (p<0·001).

Conclusions. Although some aspects of delusional ideation might include thoughts concerning emigration, practical circumstances (e.g. visa requirements, travel costs) probably prevent emigration of the psychosis-prone in many settings.

Type
Original Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 37 , Issue 4 , April 2007 , pp. 505 - 512
Copyright
2007 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)