First admission to psychiatric facilities in Brazil, 1960-1974

This article provides an epidemiologic analysis of first admissions to psychiatric hospitals in Brazil. The data employed were regularly collected by the National Mental Health Division (Divisao Nacional de Saude Mental) through a questionnaire mailed yearly to all psychiatric facilities registered with the Brazilian Ministry of Health. The response rate for the years under study averaged 80 per cent. The results show that rates of first admission for each sex, and for both Whites and non-Whites, increased until 1970, following a pattern of increase in the number of psychiatric beds per 100,000 population. White males generally had the highest rate of first admission, followed by non-White males, White females, and non-White females. First admission rates increased with age in each group, peaking in the 30-39 and 40-49 age groups. Among males, the most frequent diagnoses involved were 'schizophrenia' and 'alcohol and drug dependence', while among females they were 'schizophrenia' and 'neuroses and personality disorders'. These results are discussed in the light of Brazil's organization of psychiatric services and social conditions.