Public knowledge, beliefs and attitudes towards patients with schizophrenia: Buenos Aires.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to assess the knowledge, social distance and perception of social discrimination towards persons with schizophrenia in the general adult population of Buenos Aires, Argentina. METHODS: One thousand two-hundred fifty-four persons were surveyed at different neighborhoods of the city of Buenos Aires. Their knowledge about schizophrenia, personal social distance and perception of social discrimination were assessed with several questions. Afterwards, a scale for each one of these measures was built. RESULTS: Almost half of the general population believed that patients with schizophrenia suffer from split personality and that most of them are dangerous and violent. Knowledge about schizophrenia in the general population was moderate and it was associated with age and education. Almost 80% of the population had less than one-third of the maximum possible social distance score, but their perception of social discrimination was high. Social distance was greater in the elderly. Knowledge was correlated weakly with social distance. Respondents directly related with patients suffering from schizophrenia were more knowledgeable about the illness, but had the same social distance and perception of social discrimination than the rest of the general population. CONCLUSIONS: The persons surveyed felt their own attitudes are more favorable to people with schizophrenia than 'most other people's' attitudes. The elderly should be specifically addressed in specially designed anti-stigma campaigns.

[Psychotropic medication consumption in the Buenos Aires general population]. / Consumo de psicofármacos en la población general de la ciudad de Buenos Aires.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of psychotropic drug consumption among the general population of the city of Buenos Aires. METHODS: A survey was conducted among 1,777 respondents in different neighborhoods of the city. RESULTS: At the time of the survey 15,5% of the general population was using some kind of psychotropic medication, and life-time prevalence of use was 29,4%. Utilization was higher in woman and the elderly. There were significant consumption differences by level of educational attainment but no by social class. More than 12% of the population was using benzodiazepines and 3% antidepressants. Almost 25% of the consumers was using the medication without medical advice. Twenty five percent of the users recognized themselves as very dependent on these medications. CONCLUSIONS: Psychotropic drug use is very extended among the general population of the city of Buenos Aires. Measures to restrict the irrational use of these medications and to control them adequately should be implemented.