Depression among Older Adult Prisoners at the Jos Central Prison- North Central Nigeria

Cg Piwuna,Ma Bankat,Tm Agbir,Cn Nwoga,N Dami,To Piwuna

doi:10.46912/jbrcp.v2.i3.2019.119

Cg Piwuna, Ma Bankat + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.46912/jbrcp.v2.i3.2019.119

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Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of depression and its correlates among Older Adult Prisoners at the Jos Central Prison, North Central Nigeria. The study was a cross-sectional descriptive chart, conducted at the Jos Central prisons on eighty-six (86) older prisoners between June 2012 to December 2012. Bio-demographic data and history of any chronic medical condition as well as that of psychiatric condition were also obtained from their clinical records in the clinic located within the prison. Depression was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) on all the volunteers 50 years and above. The GDS measures cognitive, affective, functional state and a factor that reflects helplessness and fear for the future. The study was largely composed of male making up to 99%. The age range was between 50 to 75 years with a mean 54.36 (SD 3.24) with most of them between 50 to 60 years (90%). A quarter (25%) had not received any form of education while 7 out of 10 had received some form of education. Majority of them were employed (skilled or un-skilled employment) before incarceration. Only 2% were unemployed before their incarceration. Those incarcerated for violent crimes (65%) nearly doubled those in prison for non-violent crimes 35%. Occupational status, pre-existing medical conditions and the perception of their health status before incarceration were found to be statistically significant. Type of crimes committed was not statistically significant. Known chronic medical condition(s) was a risk factor in the inmates developing depression (P-value =0.009). In comparing the specific medical conditions with depression, significant findings were found (P-value= 0.003). The study revealed a prevalence of depression at 59% in older prisoners of 50 years and above. The significant predictors of depression include occupational status, pre-exisitng medical conditions, and the perception of their health status before incarceration were found to be statistically significant.

Highlights

Psychiatric disorders are known to be common among prisoners than in the general population[1]
Variables that were considered in this study that might have contributed to depression among this older prison population include type of crime committed, co-existing chronic medical condition, and duration of stay in prison and perception of their state of health
About half (53%) had been incarcerated for between 1-5 years, with only a few serving over 20 years (Fig I) Expectedly (Fig II), older prisoners with chronic medical conditions which include Hypertension, Diabetes, Memory deficits, and Arthritis and other Comorbid medical conditions made up 68% doubling those with no medical conditions (31%)

Summary

Introduction

Psychiatric disorders are known to be common among prisoners than in the general population[1]. Because of the different kind of health needs and comorbidities of older prisoners and the fact that the prisons are not built for older persons but for the young and strong individuals, the cost and provision of health care for older prisoners is usually ignored and underestimated. Concerning their mental health, factors such as bullying and intimidation, physical demands of prison life[5], as well as a phenomenon known as “Institutional thoughtlessness” 6, have been put forward as the reasons why older prisoners are prone to depression and other mental health illnesses. This study represents an attempt to add to the scarce body of knowledge about older prisoners in Nigeria and factors that may predict depression among them

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Results

Conclusion