Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Prevalence of Mental Disorders and Addictions among the Homeless Population in the Greater Paris Area, France

Version 1 : Received: 13 December 2017 / Approved: 15 December 2017 / Online: 15 December 2017 (04:42:27 CET)
Version 2 : Received: 15 January 2018 / Approved: 16 January 2018 / Online: 16 January 2018 (13:12:32 CET)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Laporte, A.; Vandentorren, S.; Détrez, M.-A.; Douay, C.; Le Strat, Y.; Le Méner, E.; Chauvin, P.; The Samenta Research Group. Prevalence of Mental Disorders and Addictions among Homeless People in the Greater Paris Area, France. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15, 241. Laporte, A.; Vandentorren, S.; Détrez, M.-A.; Douay, C.; Le Strat, Y.; Le Méner, E.; Chauvin, P.; The Samenta Research Group. Prevalence of Mental Disorders and Addictions among Homeless People in the Greater Paris Area, France. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15, 241.

Abstract

The Samenta study was conducted in 2009 in the Greater Paris area to estimate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among the homeless. A cross-sectional survey was performed with a three-stage random sample of homeless people (n = 859), including users of day services, emergency shelters, hot meal distribution, long-term rehabilitation centres and social hotels. Information was collected by a lay interviewer, using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, and completed by a psychologist through an open clinical interview. In the end, a psychiatrist assessed the psychiatric diagnosis according to the ICD10. One third of the homeless in the Paris area had at least one severe psychiatric disorder: psychotic disorders (13%), anxiety disorders (12%) or severe mood disorders (7%). One in five was alcohol dependent and 18% were drug users. Homeless women had significantly higher prevalence of anxiety disorders and depression and men were more likely to suffer from psychotic disorders. Homeless people of French origin were at higher risk of SPD, as well as people who experienced various adverse life events before the age of 18 (running away, sexual violence, parental disputes, and/or addictions) and those who experienced homelessness for the first time before the age of 26. The prevalence rates of main psychiatric disorders within the homeless population of our study are consistent with those reported in other Western cities. Our results advocate for an improvement in detection, housing and care of psychiatric homeless.

Keywords

homeless; mental health; epidemiology; psychotic disorders; anxiety; mood disorders; alcohol

Subject

Medicine and Pharmacology, Psychiatry and Mental Health

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