Abstract
BackgroundThere is limited data regarding the prevalence of mental illness and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) amongst female inmates in South Africa. Rehabilitation programmes can only be formulated once the needs of this population have been identified.AimThis study aimed to measure the prevalence of mental illnesses, borderline and antisocial personality disorders and HIV amongst female inmates.SettingThe study was based at a correctional centre in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.MethodsThis study forms part of a larger two-phased, mixed methods, sequential, explanatory design study. In phase one, 126 female inmates were interviewed using a clinical questionnaire and the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostics and Statistical Manual (DSM)-5 diagnoses – Research Version.ResultsThe following lifetime prevalence rates were found: depressive disorder 70.6%, alcohol use disorder 48.4%, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 46.8%, borderline personality disorder 33.3%, substance use disorder 31.7%, antisocial personality disorder 15.1% and psychotic disorder 4.8%. The prevalence of current adult attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder was 9.5%. A total of 39% of the participants admitted to past suicide attempts, whilst 64.3% reported past suicidal ideation and 36.5% had a current episode of a psychiatric disorder. A total of 64.3% of the participants were living with HIV. Although 90.4% had a lifetime psychiatric disorder, only 16.7% were previously diagnosed with a mental illness. The majority of inmates with lifetime disorders had psychiatric comorbidities.ConclusionThe high prevalence of mental illness and HIV amongst female inmates, and the fact that most with mental illness remain undiagnosed, is concerning. Improved screening, identification and treatment of mental illnesses in this population is needed to ensure optimal mental health outcomes and decreased recidivism.
Highlights
There is a paucity of research on the mental health of female prisoners as women constitute a minority of the total prison population, which ranges from 2% to 9% of total prisoners in most countries.[1]
The abovementioned studies illustrate the hiatus in the literature with respect to the prevalence of mental illnesses amongst female inmates in SA, in this study, we aim to describe the prevalence of mental illnesses and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in female inmates in a South African correctional centre
The SCID 5-RV, which is the gold standard for diagnosing mental illness, was used. This is the first study which measured the prevalence of mental illnesses and HIV amongst female inmates at a correctional centre in South Africa
Summary
There is a paucity of research on the mental health of female prisoners as women constitute a minority of the total prison population, which ranges from 2% to 9% of total prisoners in most countries.[1]. Like all other citizens, are entitled to medical treatment which includes mental healthcare. This is a fundamental human right, as enshrined in the South African Constitution (Sections 27 and 35 of the Bill of Rights)[5] and under international law (Article 25 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights).[6] It has been observed that prisoners with a co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorder (SUD) have a higher risk of recidivism than inmates http://www.sajpsychiatry.org. Rehabilitation programmes can only be formulated once the needs of this population have been identified
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