Characteristics of patients, who escape from government mental hospital, Peshawar

The characteristics of 24 patients, who absconded from Government Mental Hospital, Peshawar between 1st July 1990 and 31st December 1990 were studied. All were male with a mean age of 25 years. The majority were from lower social class, who were admitted on a semi-voluntary basis. The predominant psychiatric diagnoses were heroin addiction [50%] and schizophrenia [38%]. The mode of "escape" in most cases [92%] could not be ascertained. No attempt was made to contact the police in any such incident