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Prevalence and factors associated with mental illness among prison inmates: case of Thyolo Prison in Malawi
Background: Research predominantly from high income countries suggests that depression and anxiety are highly prevalent among prison inmates. With limited available research from low and middle income countries, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of possible anxiety and depression among Mal...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health
2020
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| _version_ | 1867613938869338112 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Nambindo, Joyce Chikwinde |
| author2 | Sorsdahl, Katherine |
| author_browse | Nambindo, Joyce Chikwinde Sorsdahl, Katherine |
| author_facet | Sorsdahl, Katherine Nambindo, Joyce Chikwinde |
| author_sort | Nambindo, Joyce Chikwinde |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | Background: Research predominantly from high income countries suggests that depression and anxiety are highly prevalent among prison inmates. With limited available research from low and middle income countries, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of possible anxiety and depression among Malawian inmates and identify factors associated with these conditions. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Thyolo prison situated in the southernmost region in Malawi, from February to March 2018. A total of 378 male prison inmates were interviewed face-to-face using a general questionnaire examining sociodemographic characteristics, prisoners’ previous and current involvement with the prison services, and self-reported mental health problems. Validated screening instruments were used, including the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D) to measure depression; while the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) was used to measure symptoms of anxiety. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the association between anxiety, depression and related variables. Results: The prevalence of possible anxiety disorder and depressive disorder was 62.7% and 72.5% respectively. After adjusting for the effects of the other variables in the model, a multiple logistic regression found that anxiety was significantly associated with no support (AOR 1.65 95% CI: 1.02-2.66) and a previous mental disorder diagnosis prior to imprisonment (AOR 2.07 95% CI: 1.05-4.07); while depression was significantly associated with no support (AOR 5.19 95% CI: 2.66-10.14), and having two or more traumatic events (AOR4.30 95% CI 1.65-11.23). However, being divorced (AOR 0.12, 95% CI: 0.04-0.35) was found to be a protective factor for depression. In addition to this, no support (AOR 2.24 95% CI: 1.36-3.69) and a previous mental disorder diagnosis prior to imprisonment (AOR 2.10 95% CI: 1.05-4.22) were significantly associated with comorbid depression and anxiety. Conclusion: This study provided valuable insights into the prevalence and risk factors associated with possible depression and anxiety among prison inmates in Malawi. Therefore, regular screening of prison inmates for early detection and treatment of mental disorders would be beneficial to improve the quality of life of prison inmates. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/31043 |
| institution | University of Cape Town (South Africa) |
| language | eng |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:44:06.462Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| publishDate | 2020 |
| publishDateRange | 2020 |
| publishDateSort | 2020 |
| publisher | Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health |
| publisherStr | Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| spelling | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/31043 Prevalence and factors associated with mental illness among prison inmates: case of Thyolo Prison in Malawi Nambindo, Joyce Chikwinde Sorsdahl, Katherine Van Der Westhuizen Claire public mental health Background: Research predominantly from high income countries suggests that depression and anxiety are highly prevalent among prison inmates. With limited available research from low and middle income countries, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of possible anxiety and depression among Malawian inmates and identify factors associated with these conditions. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Thyolo prison situated in the southernmost region in Malawi, from February to March 2018. A total of 378 male prison inmates were interviewed face-to-face using a general questionnaire examining sociodemographic characteristics, prisoners’ previous and current involvement with the prison services, and self-reported mental health problems. Validated screening instruments were used, including the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D) to measure depression; while the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) was used to measure symptoms of anxiety. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the association between anxiety, depression and related variables. Results: The prevalence of possible anxiety disorder and depressive disorder was 62.7% and 72.5% respectively. After adjusting for the effects of the other variables in the model, a multiple logistic regression found that anxiety was significantly associated with no support (AOR 1.65 95% CI: 1.02-2.66) and a previous mental disorder diagnosis prior to imprisonment (AOR 2.07 95% CI: 1.05-4.07); while depression was significantly associated with no support (AOR 5.19 95% CI: 2.66-10.14), and having two or more traumatic events (AOR4.30 95% CI 1.65-11.23). However, being divorced (AOR 0.12, 95% CI: 0.04-0.35) was found to be a protective factor for depression. In addition to this, no support (AOR 2.24 95% CI: 1.36-3.69) and a previous mental disorder diagnosis prior to imprisonment (AOR 2.10 95% CI: 1.05-4.22) were significantly associated with comorbid depression and anxiety. Conclusion: This study provided valuable insights into the prevalence and risk factors associated with possible depression and anxiety among prison inmates in Malawi. Therefore, regular screening of prison inmates for early detection and treatment of mental disorders would be beneficial to improve the quality of life of prison inmates. 2020-02-12T10:25:24Z 2020-02-12T10:25:24Z 2019 2020-02-12T10:24:24Z Master Thesis Masters MPhil http://hdl.handle.net/11427/31043 eng application/pdf Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Faculty of Health Sciences |
| spellingShingle | public mental health Nambindo, Joyce Chikwinde Prevalence and factors associated with mental illness among prison inmates: case of Thyolo Prison in Malawi |
| thesis_degree_str | Master's |
| title | Prevalence and factors associated with mental illness among prison inmates: case of Thyolo Prison in Malawi |
| title_full | Prevalence and factors associated with mental illness among prison inmates: case of Thyolo Prison in Malawi |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence and factors associated with mental illness among prison inmates: case of Thyolo Prison in Malawi |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence and factors associated with mental illness among prison inmates: case of Thyolo Prison in Malawi |
| title_short | Prevalence and factors associated with mental illness among prison inmates: case of Thyolo Prison in Malawi |
| title_sort | prevalence and factors associated with mental illness among prison inmates case of thyolo prison in malawi |
| topic | public mental health |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/31043 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nambindojoycechikwinde prevalenceandfactorsassociatedwithmentalillnessamongprisoninmatescaseofthyoloprisoninmalawi |