Abstract
BackgroundMillions of people are currently suffering from some form of mental disorders. The prevalence of common disorders is twofold higher in prison than general population and the condition is found to be worst in African in general and Ethiopia in particular. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of common mental disorders and its correlates among prisoners in Jimma town correctional institution; Ethiopia.MethodsA cross sectional quantitative study was conducted enrolling 300 prisoners. The participants were recruited using systematic random sampling technique. The World health organization Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) scale; was adapted to assess prevalence of mental disorders. Data were collected on interviewer administered basis by trained personnel. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20 for widows was used for data analysis. Multivariate logistic regression modelling was conducted to identify the independent predictors of common mental disorders. P-value less than 5% was considered to indicate significant associations.ResultsThe prevalence of common mental disorder was found to be 62.70, 95% CI; [57.30, 68.50]. Prisoners who had monthly income of 1500-3000birr, AOR = 3.30, 95% CI; [1.25, 8.69] and above 3000birr; AOR = 4.75, 95% CI; [1.57, 14.33], family history of mental illness; AOR = 6.14, 95% CI; [1.65, 22.79] and who ever used Khat; AOR = 4.33, 95% CI; [2.02, 9.27] were more likely to experience common mental disorders. Conversely; having some sort of work in prison; AOR = 0.25, 95% CI; [0.12, 0.54], perceived moderate social support; AOR = 0.094, 95% CI; [0.04–0.215] and perceived moderate strong; AOR = 0.025, 95% CI; [0.009, 0.07] were found to be protective factors.ConclusionPrevalence of common mental disorder was considerably high as nearly more than three in every five prisoner experience some form of the disorder. Early screening of prisoners up on their arrival, appropriate treatment and follow up should be done. Furthermore; creating prison based jobs that could bring prisoners together and encouraging positive relationships to build social supports as coping strategy is required.
Highlights
Millions of people are currently suffering from some form of mental disorders
; the aim of this current study was to assess the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMD) and its socio-demographic, and social-cultural correlates among prisoners in Jimma correctional institution; Ethiopia
Majority of the respondents; 174 (58%) were Muslims followed by Christian orthodox; 94 (31.3%)
Summary
Millions of people are currently suffering from some form of mental disorders. The prevalence of common disorders is twofold higher in prison than general population and the condition is found to be worst in African in general and Ethiopia in particular. Common mental disorders (CMDs) are group of noncommunicable diseases that include anxiety, depression and somatoform disorders which are characterized by symptoms like insomnia, fatigue, irritability, forgetfulness, difficulty in concentrating and other somatic complaints [1, 2]. These disorders are found to be most prevalent in the world [3, 4] with 8.2 million and 4 million people are currently suffering from anxiety and depressive disorders respectively [5]. Studies conducted in South Africa 55.4%, Zambia 63.1%, Nigeria 57%, and Ghana 70% have showed high prevalence level of CMDs among prisoners [11,12,13,14]
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have