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Schizophrenia among homeless people in inner-Sydney: current prevalence and historical trends
- Authors:
- BUHRICH Neil, HODDER Tracey, TEESON Maree
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 12(1), February 2003, pp.51-57.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
There are high prevalence rates of schizophrenia among people who are homeless. Whether the prevalence has increased over the past two decades remains unclear. The aim was to assess the prevalence of schizophrenia among people who use refuges for the homeless, and to compare the current prevalence to prevalence rates in the same refuges since 1983. Two hundred and ten homeless men and women residing at or visiting the seven largest refuges in inner-Sydney were screened for possible psychosis. Persons who screened positive for psychosis were referred to the psychiatrist for diagnosis of possible or definite schizophrenia. The BPRS-E (expanded Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale) was completed for all participants with possible or definite schizophrenia. The prevalence rate for possible or definite schizophrenia among the men was 23% to 30%. This compares to 16% in 1983 and 26% in 1988. The current prevalence for women was 46% to 50%, which compares to 33% in 1989; a difference which is not significant. The majority of participants with schizophrenia were scored as having `non-pathological symptoms' on the BPRS/E. The prevalence of schizophrenia has remained relatively stable over the past two decades despite deinstitutionalisation continuing over the same period.