First admissions and planning in Jamaica

ABSTRACT

An unselected sample of 90 first admissions (66 male and 24 female) to the only mental hospital in Jamaica is described. Over 60 percent were less than 35 years of age with a younger age of onset in the males. Half the admissions were schizophrenics, a fifth affective disorders, a quarter of organic disorders, and none psychoneurotic. The sex distributions of these groups showed a marked male excess for schizophrenia and organic disorders which was not present for affective disorders. In addition to the effects of introducing psychiatric care in general hospitals, factors of selection, social stress and protection are discussed to explain these findings. The implications for planning and research are noted. It is recommended that nurses be given authority as Mental Health Supervisors to cope with the problems in this rural society (Summary)