BackgroundData over the magnitude of mental illnesses and associated factors among inmates in Ethiopia in general and in Amhara region in particular are scares. The available studies either focused on specific type of mental illness or include inmates from a single correctional center and leave aside the role of rehabilitation service use in inmates’ mental illness. Therefore, the present study was conducted to look into the prevalence of mental illnesses and to examine the associated demographic, imprisonment related and rehabilitation service use related factors that predict the mental illnesses of inmates in Northwestern Ethiopia. MethodsThe study employed cross-sectional, descriptive and explanatory research design where data was collected from 422 inmates from three randomly selected prisons. Inmates' mental illness was assessed using the Self Report Questionnaire (SQR-20). Frequency, percentage, bivariate and multiple logistic regressions were used to analyze the collected data. ResultsIn the study it was revealed that 74.6% of the inmates in Northwestern Ethiopia have mental illnesses. Feeling unhappy, difficulty to play important role in life, headaches and bad sleep were experienced by majority of the respondents. Male inmates (AOR = 2.39, 95% CI = 1.07 - 5.37) and inmates who participate in the educational training services (AOR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.36 - 3.55) were found to have higher chances of having mental illnesses. On the other hand, inmates who participate in life skill training programs (AOR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.28 - 0.74) and inmates who participate in recreational and cultural activities (AOR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.14 - 0.46) were found to have lower odds of developing mental illnesses. ConclusionHigher prevalence of mental illnesses among inmates was found in Northwestern Ethiopia and inmates' participation in rehabilitation services were important predictors of their mental health. Thus prison administrators and policy makers need to initiate large scale studies thereby interventions that could reform the rehabilitation services provisions, including mental health services.

Data on the magnitude of mental illnesses and associated factors among inmates in Ethiopia, in general and in the Amhara region in particular are scarce. The available studies either focused on specific type of mental illness or include inmates from a single correctional center and leave aside the role of rehabilitation service use in inmates’ mental illness. Therefore, the present study was conducted to look into the prevalence of mental illnesses and to examine the associated demographic, imprisonment related and rehabilitation service use related factors among inmates in Northwestern Ethiopia. The study employed cross-sectional, descriptive and explanatory research design where data was collected from 422 inmates from three randomly selected prisons. Inmates’ mental illness was assessed using the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20). Frequency, percentage, bivariate and multiple logistic regressions were used to analyze the collected data. In the study it was revealed that 74.6% of the inmates in Northwestern Ethiopia have mental illnesses. Feeling unhappy, difficulty to play important role in life, headaches and bad sleep were experienced by majority of the respondents. Male inmates (AOR = 2.39, 95% CI = 1.07–5.37) and inmates who participate in the educational training services (AOR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.36–3.55) were found to have higher chances of having mental illnesses. On the other hand, inmates who participate in life skill training programs (AOR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.28–0.74) and inmates who participate in recreational and cultural activities (AOR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.14–0.46) were found to have lower odds of developing mental illnesses. A high prevalence of mental illnesses among inmates was found in Northwestern Ethiopia and inmates’ participation in rehabilitation services were important correlates of their mental health. Thus, prison administrators and policy makers need to conduct large scale studies and develop tailored interventions that could reform the rehabilitation services provisions, including mental health service provisions.

Background: Studies on inmates’ Health Care Service (HCS) utilization are scarce and findings about the factors associated with HCS utilization are inconsistent. Studies over inmates’ use of HCS and associated factors are unavailable in Ethiopia. The present study, therefore, examined inmates’ HCS utilizations and associated factors in Northwestern Ethiopia. Methods: The study employed institution-based cross sectional research design and data is collected using questionnaire from 422 inmates in three prisons. The questionnaire collects data about prisoners’ demography, imprisonment related information and HCS utilization. Descriptive statistical techniques as well as bivariate and multiple logistic regressions were used to analyse the data. Results:The study found that 72.5%, 66.1% and 13.3% of the inmates, respectively, use medical services, guidance and counseling services and psychiatric services. Inmates with primary education (AOR=2.256, p<0.05, 95% CI= 1.155, 4.408), with secondary education (AOR= 1.955, p<0.05, 95% CI=1.012, 3.779), know the availability of the services (AOR=8.103, p<0.01, 95% CI= 4.405, 14.903) were more likely to use medical services. Inmates with accused status (AOR=.386, p<0.05, 95% CI= .183, .811) were less likely to use medical services than inmates with convict status. Divorced marital status (AOR= 7.015, p<0.05, 95% CI=1.524, 32.290) and knowledge of the service availability (AOR= 4.169, p<0.01, 95% CI=2.224, 7.817) are associated with high guidance and counseling service use. An increase in the length of stay in the prison is associated with a decrease in psychiatry service use (AOR= .455, p<0.01, 95% CI=.311, .665) while knowledge of service availability is associated with higher odds of psychiatry service use (AOR= 29.028, p<0.01, 95% CI= 12.363, 68.159). Conclusions: There are high medical care service utilizations while low mental health care service utilizations in among inmates in Northwestern Ethiopia. Based on the results of the study, it can be recommended that there is a critical need for nationwide study to better understand inmates HCS utilization and immediate health care service promotion and education measures need to be in place.