Urbanisation as a risk indicator for psychiatric admission

Abstract.

Objective:

This study examines the independent effect of urbanisation on the risk for admission irrespective of age, sex and marital status.

Method:

Logit analysis was performed on a dataset containing all first admissions to Dutch general psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric teaching clinics in 1991.

Results:

Unmarried people and people living in urbanised municipalities have an increased risk of admission in all diagnostic groups analysed. People over 45 have an increased risk of admission for affective psychosis and organic psychosis. Women have an increased risk of affective psychosis.

Conclusion:

A high level of urbanisation increases the risk of admission in the diagnosis groups studied. However, being unmarried is a higher risk factor.