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BACKGROUND: A point prevalence study of schizophrenia was carried out in 1986 in the former Hampstead Health District using a key informant method to identify cases. The point prevalence of broadly defined schizophrenia was 4.7 per 1000. METHOD: A repeat census of people with schizophrenia, using the same method, was carried out in 1991 and the point prevalence calculated. The accuracy of the census method was estimated. Contact with services, social and occupational activity, and medication usage in the 1986 and 1991 samples were compared. RESULTS: The point prevalence rate of broadly defined schizophrenia in 1991 was 5.1 per 1000. The results of both censuses showed we underestimated the number of individuals with DSM-III-R positive schizophrenia by about 14%. The level of contact with specialist services was greater in 1991 than 1986. Patients in 1991 were discharged on higher doses of medication, and their most recent admission was more likely to be due to non-compliance, than the 1986 group. CONCLUSION: The point prevalence confirmed the high rate reported in 1986. The accuracy of the census was within acceptable limits for service planning. Contact with specialist services increased between 1986 and 1991.
Jeffreys et al. (Tue,) studied this question.
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