Braz J Psychiatry. 2025 Nov 11. doi: 10.47626/1516-4446-2025-4437. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Recent studies highlight variability in schizophrenia prevalence influenced by sociodemographic and environmental factors. Brazil lacks updated, nationally representative data. This study aimed to estimate the lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia in Brazil using a representative national sample and examine associations with sociodemographic factors such as sex, age, income, education, and geographic region.
METHODS: Data were analyzed from adult respondents (aged ≥18 years) of the 2019 National Health Survey, which employed a multistage, clustered sampling strategy representing the Brazilian population (N=159,171,311). Schizophrenia diagnosis was self-reported. Weighted analyses, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models examined associations between sociodemographic factors and schizophrenia diagnosis.
RESULTS: The estimated lifetime prevalence of self-reported schizophrenia was 0.34%. In multivariable analyses, prevalence was higher among males, individuals aged 40-59, those with lower income, urban residents, and individuals living without a partner or paid job. A clear gradient was observed for education, with higher prevalence among those with lower attainment (0.75%) in bivariate analysis; however, this was not significant in the multivariable model.
CONCLUSIONS: Schizophrenia is observed across all regions of Brazil, affecting approximately 547,202 individuals. Findings on social determinants replicate previous results. The overrepresentation of socially vulnerable groups underscores the need to address social determinants of health and implement supportive policies.
PMID:41212606 | DOI:10.47626/1516-4446-2025-4437
