Prevalence of schizophrenia in an urban community in madras.

Several studies have estimated the prevalence of Schizophrenia. Widely varied rates have in part been due to methodological and diagnostic differences. This paper presents the epidemiological indices for Schizophrenia, estimated as a part of a large study of over 1,00,000 urban population for Functional Psychoses. The age corrected prevalence rate is estimated and discussed.A study of socio-demographic aspects showed the prevalence of Schizophrenia to be higher among males; in slums; in extended and joint families; in those with no schooling and in unemployed. The focus of discussion is on methodological issues of prevalence estimation and the socio-demographic aspects of Schizophrenia.