Demographic considerations of African (Black) schizophrenic patients presenting at Baragwanth hospital psychiatry outpatients and inpatients facilities
Date
2016-08-19
Authors
Brauteseth, Leif Trygvar
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Abstract
A paucity of published data was encountered when
investigating the demography of most psychiatric problems occurring in the
in black South African
population. Even less demographic data was available
which pertains specifically to black Schizophrenic
patients and no published data Was found which was
specific to Schizophrenia amongst Baragwanath Hospi-
tal Psychiatry patients. It was intended that the
stUdy would firstly identify this group of patients
and determine whether compliance and/or relapse was
related to any particular demographic factors, and
secondly to recommend possible ways of catering more
effectively for the mental health care needs of this
group of patients. A descriptive demographic study was
conducted using a questionnaire survey for data collection.
A sample of 104 patients who fulfiiled the DSM
III-R criteria for schizophrenia was studied.
Statistically significant differences between male
and female patients were noted for some demographic
variables. Factor such as education, socioeconomic
status, social support systems, medical management
/follow-up systems and substance abuse patterns Were
examined. Difficulties encountered in conducting the
study were discussed. The main limitation of the
study was that the findings were not generalizable
beyond the study population.
Description
A Research Report Submitted to the Faculty of Medicine,
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in
partial fulfilment of the Degree of Master of Medicine
in Psychiatry.
Johanrlesburg
October 1992