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Nithsdale, Nunhead and Norwood: Similarities and differences in prevalence of schizophrenia and utilisation of service sin rural and urban areas

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Robin G. McCreadie ,
Morven Leese ,
Deepa Tilak-Singh ,
Linda Loftus ,
Tom MacEwan  and
Graham Thornicroft
Robin G. McCreadie*
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Research, Crichton Royal Hospital, Dumfries DGI 4TG
Morven Leese
Affiliation:
PRiSM, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF
Deepa Tilak-Singh
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Research, Crichton Royal Hospital, Dumfries DGI 4TG
Linda Loftus
Affiliation:
PRiSM, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF
Tom MacEwan
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Research, Crichton Royal Hospital, Dumfries DGI 4TG
Graham Thornicroft
Affiliation:
PRiSM, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF
*
Dr R. G. McCreadie, Director of Clinical Research, Crichton Royal Hospital, Dumfries, DGI 4TG
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Abstract

Background

The prevalence of schizophrenia is known to be greater in urban than in rural areas. Less studied are differences between the patients themselves and, more specifically, their use of psychiatric services.

Method

The prevalence of schizophrenia was determined in rural Nithsdale in Scotland and urban Nunhead and Norwood in South London. Information about patients' psychiatric history, use of services during the study year and global assessment of functioning were obtained from case records and staff.

Results

There were no significant differences in prevalence rates between Nithsdale patients, all White (2.78 per 1000 general population), Nunhead (3.46 per 1000) and Norwood (2.24 per 1000) Whites; rates were significantly higher among the non-Whites in Nunhead (7.36 per 1000) and Norwood (5.53 per 1000), who were mainly Black Caribbeans. Nithsdale patients were at a higher level of functioning and made substantially more use of psychiatric services. During the study year, 42% of Nithsdale patients used more than one of three principal community services, namely day, out-patient and community psychiatric nursing care.

Conclusions

The prevalence of schizophrenia is no different in rural Nithsdale and inner-city Nunhead and Norwood, when only White patients are considered. Nithsdale patients were at a higher level of functioning and made more use of available psychiatric services.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 170 , Issue 1 , January 1997 , pp. 31 - 36
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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