• Justus Uchenna Onu and Jude Uzoma Ohaeri.
• Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
• Afr Health Sci. 2020 Jun 1; 20 (2): 697-708.

BackgroundThe nature of the association between obstetric complications (OCs) at birth and the genetic aetiology of schizophrenia remains unclear, as some authors suggest that it is an independent risk factor while others support either interactionism or an epiphenomenon perspective.ObjectiveTo examine the association of family history of schizophrenia (FHS) with history of OCs, with a view to assessing whether this relationship moderates clinical phenotypes such as symptom dimensions and age at onset of illness.MethodsThis study examined OCs among schizophrenia probands using the Obstetric Complications Scale. An inquiry into family history was performed using the Family history method. Psychopathological symptom dimensions were assessed using standard scales. Data were analyzed to examine the interaction of FHS and history of OCs with age at onset and symptom dimensions, using ANCOVA.ResultsFHS was significantly associated with the disorganized symptoms dimension (p=0.03). History of OCs was significantly associated with earlier age at onset (p=0.007). However, in ANCOVA, the effect of the interaction between FHS and history of OCs was not significant for age at onset and symptom dimensions (P = 0.059).ConclusionFHS was significantly associated with disorganization syndrome, and OCs was significantly associated with age at onset.© 2020 Onu JU et al.

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