FIRST-CONTACT INCIDENCE RATES OF SCHIZOPHRENIA IN TRINIDAD AND ONE-YEAR FOLLOW-UP

Background. Incidence rates of schizophrenia among UK African-Caribbea ns have been reported as high. Various explanations including selectiv e migration and genetic vulnerability have been proposed. Method. In o ne calendar year, all new cases of psychosis presenting to various psy chiatric services in two clearly defined geographical catchment areas in Trinidad - one in the rural south and the other an urban area - wer e studied. Standardised diagnostic instruments were applied and inform ation collected using WHO screening and measurement instruments. Resul ts. A total of 56 cases were collected, giving an incidence rate of 2. 2/1000 of broad schizophrenia with a rate of 1.6 for S+ schizophrenia. Conclusion. These rates are similar to those from the WHO study in Ho nolulu and Aarhus, and much lower than the rates for African-Caribbean s in London. The cases were followed up for one year and the poor outc ome rate for schizophrenia was 19%. The findings are discussed in a cr oss-cultural context and suggestions for future research made.