The sociodemographic correlates of schizophrenia in Butajira, rural Ethiopia.

Objectives: To describe the major sociodemographic correlates of schizophrenia, and their interactions, in a rural population of Ethiopia.

Methods: We have recently completed a study in Butajira to identify cases of major mental disorders for description of course and outcome. A total of 318 cases of schizophrenia were identified by a door-to-door survey of a predominantly rural population of close to 68,500 individuals. Cases were confirmed by use of the SCAN and clinical assessment.

Findings: The study showed that being male, under 35 years of age, unmarried, educated and living in an urban area were factors all associated with schizophrenia independently of each other. The risk of schizophrenia associated with being male was much higher in those aged 35 and over compared to those under 35 years of age. The risk of schizophrenia among males was higher in those not married (never married, separated, divorced or widowed) compared to those who were married. The association of marital status with schizophrenia was also more pronounced among those aged 35 year or over compared to those under 35. The association between schizophrenia and being unmarried was higher in urban than in rural areas.

Conclusion: The sociodemographic correlates of schizophrenia in this rural population were similar to those described for the developed world. Furthermore, there were significant interactions between sex, age, marital status, area of residence and education as correlates of schizophrenia.