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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Martin Gittelman, psychiat, NYU Med School, 100 w 94, ny, NY 10025, 212 6630131, martin.gittelman@med.nyu.edu

Shen Yu Cun, Naotaka Shinfuku,Jose Bertolote,Pierre Bailly-Salin and Martin gittelman > > > Evaluation of Community Based > Psychosocial Rehabilitation > for 853 Persons with Schizophrenia > Treated with Conventional or Newer > Atypical Antipsychotic Medication in a > Chinese Rural Area > A One-Year Follow-up Controlled Study > > Schizophrenia affects some 25 million persons worldwide. As a result of poverty and lack of health personnel the majority of those affected by the disease receive no treatment and have significantly shorter life expectancies. This study was designed to evaluate a model of organization which could be utilized in rural areas of developing countries at relatively low cost via the use of supervised primary health care workers.

In this study we followed 853 persons with schizophrenia residing at home with their families in a Chinese rural area. Patients and their families were treated and counseled by physician-trained and supervised primary care health workers. Patients were expected to work at least part-time and were provided, based on symptomatology, either low dose frequently titrated conventional(chlorpromazine) or newer atypical antipsychotic (Clozapine)medication. Relapse, rehospitalization,compliance and drop out, side effects and both negative and positive symptoms were observed and recorded. Because the Primary care providers resided close to the patients and families it was possible for small and frequent dosage changes to be made based on family and patient reports of symptom changes.

The results indicated no significant differences among treatment groups for side effects nor relapse whether conventional or newer atypical medication was given.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this presentation the patrticipant will be able to list current theories regarding relapse prevention in schizophrenia. 2.Learn the results of frequent patient observation and medication titration methodology(7-11 method.
• Articulate the effectiveness of utilizing supervised primary care health workers for persons with schizophrenia under rural conditions

Keywords: Public Mental Health, Mental Health Services

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered