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The Camden Schizophrenia Surveys

II. High Prevalence of Schizophrenia in an Inner London Borough and its Relationship to Socio-Demographic Factors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Carol A. Harvey ,
Christos Pantelis ,
Jason Taylor ,
Patrick J. Mccabe ,
Karen Lefevre ,
Patrick G. Campbell  and
Steven R. Hirsch
Carol A. Harvey*
Affiliation:
Charing Cross & Westminster Medical School, Academic Unit, Horton Hospital, Epsom, Surrey KT19 8PZ
Christos Pantelis
Affiliation:
Cognitive Neuropsychiatry Research Unit, Mental Health Research Institute and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Locked Bag 11, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
Jason Taylor
Affiliation:
Warley Hospital, Warley Hill, Brentwood, Essex CM14 5HQ
Patrick J. Mccabe
Affiliation:
Kingston University, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2EE
Karen Lefevre
Affiliation:
Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, London NW3 2QG
Patrick G. Campbell
Affiliation:
Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, London NW3 2QG
Steven R. Hirsch
Affiliation:
Charing Cross & Westminster Medical School, London W6 8RP
*
Dr C. Harvey, Mental Health Research Institute, Locked Bag 11, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia. Fax: (00 613) 9387 5061
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Abstract

Background

Investigation of the geographical distribution of schizophrenia and its relationship to socio-demographic factors is useful for planning services.

Method

Individuals with schizophrenia (n=980) were identified by key informants within an inner London borough and point prevalence calculated for broad, Feighner and DSM–III–R schizophrenia. The distribution of cases was tested for significant variation using the Poisson process model. Regression models using the Jarman-8 score and its component variables were tested for their ability to predict the prevalence of schizophrenia.

Results

A high point prevalence of schizophrenia (5.3 per 1000 resident population) was demonstrated. Case distribution showed a marked and significant variation associated with socio-demographic factors. The prediction of prevalence was more accurate for broad than for narrower definitions of schizophrenia; unemployment rate performed best.

Conclusions

Unemployment rates and Jarman-8 scores may provide crude estimates for resource allocation in planning mental health services, highlighting the need for additional services in deprived inner city areas.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 168 , Issue 4 , April 1996 , pp. 418 - 426
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1996 

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