Occupational Burden of Schizophrenia in Malaysian Armed Forces

Abstract

Introduction: Schizophrenia is a chronic, relapsing and disabling brain disorder. Despite lower prevalence as compared to other psychiatric disorders, schizophrenia is highly debilitating; mainly attributed to premature attrition. This study aimed to improve the understanding of schizophrenia among Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), the occupational burden of this debilitating illness, involuntary separation and invalidity. Methods: This study is a retrospective review of cases subjected to medical board evaluation (MBE) and psychiatric administration board evaluation (LP3) from the years 2007 to 2017 as documented in early 2018. Results: A total of 227 personnel with schizophrenia were subjected to MBE and LP3. Of the total, 92.1% were invalided out. Conclusion: This study highlights higher incidence rate of schizophrenia among MAF compared to the general population. The attrition rate among personnel with schizophrenia eludes to the psychosocial and occupational burden of schizophrenia in MAF. More resources should be allocated to improve the detection of schizophrenia among recruits and cadets to reduce the burden.