Table 3 Themes of the content of delusions from a sample of 200 Xhosa people with schizophrenia (subgroups are not mutually exclusive)

1. Delusions of reference

2. Persecutory delusions

4. Somatic delusions

People talking about them: n = 127 (63.5%)

a) Who were these people? (n = 127 responses)

• People in general n = 84 (66%)

• Family/friends/neighbors n = 44 (36%)

• Colleagues/patients/hospital staff n = 19 (15%)

b) What were they doing? (n = 62 responses)

• Looking at them strangely n = 35 (56%)

• Saying bad things/laughing at them n = 31 (50%)

• Actively plotting against them n = 6 (10%)

c) How did you react? (n = 22 responses)

• Passive reaction: withdraw/avoid n = 13 (59%)

• Aggressive reaction: fight/attack n = 8 (36%)

• No reaction n = 1 (4.5%)

Receiving special messages: 105 (52.5%)

a) Where were the messages from? (n = 105 responses)

▪ TV n = 92 (87.5%)

▪ Radio n = 32 (30.5%)

▪ Other (e.g.,: magazines/newspapers) n = 7 (6.5%)

b) What was the message about? (n = 105 responses)

• Talking to them n = 72 (68.5%)

• Talking about them n = 40 (38%)

• Playing out their life story/showing images of them/experiences of being inside the medium n = 18 (16.5%)

c) How did you react? (n = 15 responses)

• Passive/withdraw n = 2 (13.5%)

• Aggressive/attack n = 3 (20%)

• Assertive/speak back/turn off n = 10 (66.5%)

People plotting against you: n = 172 (86%)

a) In the form of bewitchment n = 125 (72.5%)

• Using a Tokoloshi n = 4

• Using Amafufunyana n = 12

b) Who were these people? (n = 172 responses)

• People in general n = 65 (38%)

• Family/friends/neighbors n = 102 (59%)

• Colleagues/patients/hospital staff n = 15 (8.5%)

c) Why were they doing this? (n = 78 responses)

• Jealousy n = 71 (91%)

• People don’t like me n = 6 (7.5%)

• These people are bewitched n = 1 (1.5%)

d) Did you seek help from anyone? (n = 21 responses)

• Sangoma/Traditional healer n = 19 (90.5%)

• Other: prophet/ancestor n = 2 (9.5%)

Something physically wrong: n = 73 (36.5%)

• Head/brain/skull n = 31 (42.5%)

• Stomach n = 19 (26%)

• Whole body n = 10 (13.5%)

• Heart n = 5 (7%)

• Other: eyes/ears/hands/legs n = 17 (23%)

5. Other delusions n = 42 (21%)

• Relationship with famous person: n = 11 (26%)

• Special relationship with God: n = 11 (26%)

• Guilt/should be punished: n = 11 (26%)

• Convinced partner is unfaithful: n = 10 (24%)

6. Delusions of being controlled n = 118 (59%)

a) Who is controlling thoughts? (n = 118 responses)

• Spirit/amafufunyana/external force n = 42 (35.5%)

• People in general n = 30 (25.5%)

• Family/friends/neighbors n = 23 (19.5%)

• TV/radio n = 8 (7%)

• Other n = 18 (15%)

3. Grandiose delusions

Special powers: n = 118 (59%)

• Wealth/success/fame n = 56 (47.5%)

• God/son of God/prophet/healer n = 47 (40%)

• Magical powers n = 14 (12%)

• Education/intellect/knowledge n = 13 (12%)

• Powerful political leader n = 9 (7.5%)

7. Thought broadcasting n = 117 (58.5%)

a) Who was broadcasting your thoughts? (n = 118 responses)

• People in general n = 89 (76%)

• TV/Radio n = 14 (12%)

• Family/friends/neighbors n = 10 (8.5%)

• Doctors/Traditional healers n = 2 (1.5%)

• Amafufunyana n = 2 (1.5%)

b) How did you react? (n = 17 responses)

• Feeling angry/attack n = 6 (35.5%)

• Feeling isolated/rejected/criticized n = 11 (64.5%)