Depression and associated physical co-morbidities in elderly prison inmates

Abstract

ABSTRACTElderly prisoners constitute a group of vulnerable individuals in correctional institutions with more propensities for the negative effect of incarceration with its attendant public health problems. Many studies had explored and confirmed a higher rate of psychiatric morbidity among elderly prison inmates in most part of the globe; however, data in this part of the globe is practically unavailable. This study aims at determining the prevalence and pattern of major depressive disorder and physical co-morbidity among elderly inmates aged 50 and above in the Ogun State Prisons. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study of the population of elderly male prisoners aged 50 and above across a state in Nigeria. They were assessed using a proforma incorporating a sociodemographic, medical/forensic questionnaire, designed by the authors, and depression modules of the structured clinical interview schedule for axis I DSM-IV Disorder (SCID). Diagnosis of depression was made according to the DSM–IV criteria. Depression severity was measured using Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). All the eighty-five elderly inmates studied were male with mean age of 58.65 years. Majority had none or primary education, were from a polygamous background, and 43.5 percent were on current medicare. The prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder was 24.7 percent. Depression was significantly associated with prison locations, perceived condition of the prisons, and current medical care. Prevalence of Major Depressive disorders and physical morbidity among elderly male inmates were high. The presence of physical co-morbidity as well as the inmate’s perception of the prison were major predictor of depression and hence the need for modalities to detect and treat both emotional and physical disorders and to upgrade the prison environment in order to improve the quality of life of the inmates.