Melanie Amna Abas1, Jane Vanderpyl, Elizabeth Robinson. 1. Health Services and Population Research Department, Section of Epidemiology, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, P.O. 60, London SE5 8AF, United Kingdom. melanie.abas@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study examined the association between socioeconomic deprivation and extended hospitalization in severe mental disorder, after taking account of confounding variables. METHODS: A representative sample of 660 inpatients from South Auckland, New Zealand, was followed for two years from their index admission. Additional data were collected during the index admission for a subsample of 291 patients. RESULTS: Greater levels of socioeconomic deprivation in the inpatient's neighborhood of residence was associated with extended hospitalization after adjustment for demographic factors and primary diagnosis but not after adjustment for comorbid diagnosis, chronicity, function, and severity. Most extended hospitalizations were related to poor illness recovery. CONCLUSIONS: People from more deprived areas are likely to need longer psychiatric admissions, mostly because of the association between deprivation and having more disabling symptoms and a comorbid psychiatric diagnosis. Interventions to prevent psychiatric hospitalization, reduce duration of stay, and enhance recovery must be tested among those with greater levels of socioeconomic deprivation.
OBJECTIVE: This study examined the association between socioeconomic deprivation and extended hospitalization in severe mental disorder, after taking account of confounding variables. METHODS: A representative sample of 660 inpatients from South Auckland, New Zealand, was followed for two years from their index admission. Additional data were collected during the index admission for a subsample of 291 patients. RESULTS: Greater levels of socioeconomic deprivation in the inpatient's neighborhood of residence was associated with extended hospitalization after adjustment for demographic factors and primary diagnosis but not after adjustment for comorbid diagnosis, chronicity, function, and severity. Most extended hospitalizations were related to poor illness recovery. CONCLUSIONS:People from more deprived areas are likely to need longer psychiatric admissions, mostly because of the association between deprivation and having more disabling symptoms and a comorbid psychiatric diagnosis. Interventions to prevent psychiatric hospitalization, reduce duration of stay, and enhance recovery must be tested among those with greater levels of socioeconomic deprivation.
Authors: Nicolae V Ostrovschi; Martin J Prince; Cathy Zimmerman; Mihai A Hotineanu; Lilia T Gorceag; Viorel I Gorceag; Clare Flach; Melanie A Abas Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2011-04-14 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Dixon Chibanda; Petra Mesu; Lazarus Kajawu; Frances Cowan; Ricardo Araya; Melanie A Abas Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2011-10-26 Impact factor: 3.295