Introduction: Several studies showed that the prevalence of schizophrenia among immigrants is high. This prompted the authors to investigate the links between schizophrenia and immigration status. Methodology: We conducted a retrospective study psychiatric service in Mahdia hospital over a period of 5. years and a half from January 2003 to June 2010, including patients hospitalized, diagnosed as having schizophrenia; and having immigration and living abroad experiences. Results: These 50male patients of average age 32. years. Forty-two patients (84%) were single. The socioeconomic conditions were low in all cases. Nine patients had familial psychological disorders. Sixteen patients (32%) had a criminal past. Immigration was illegally in 39cases (78%). Destination countries' were European in all cases. Duration of immigration was on average 37.3. months. Thirty-one (62%) patients reported experiences of incarceration and experiences of discrimination abroad. The clinical presentation was dominated by disorganized schizophrenia: 37patients (74%). Eighteen patients (36%) reported drugs consumption. The psychosocial stress was according to DSM IV-TR, professional problems and problems related to social environment. Conclusion: It seems that besides the biological and neuro-developmental schizophrenia hypotheses, there are psycho-social hypotheses: social stress. Other studies are needed to support these hypotheses. © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS.

Tunisia Migration Stress Health Cannabis schizophrenia Retrospective study

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