Schizophrenia in East County Cavan: Spatial Variations in Prevalence and their Aetiological Implications

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Abstract
Schizophrenia prevalence rates in Ireland have been amongst the highest in (he world For over a century. These rates do not necessarily indicate a high risk of mental illness in the community, but they could reflect elevated risks associated with either genetic factors or unidentified factors associated with the Irish social or physical environment. This study examines spatial variations in prevalence in east County Cavan. By confining the study to a small area. The effects of nosocomial factors and diagnostic variability can be assumed to be minimal. Also, given that the study area receives few immigrants, drift processes, which complicate most other small-area studies, may be discounted. Various statistical tests indicate that the prevalence of schizophrenia in east Cavan is significantly uneven. After considering various alternative explanations, it is concluded that the observed spatial variations in prevalence possibly reflect the influence of unidentified environmental factors.