ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the prison population in the State of São Paulo, Brazil.MethodsThrough stratified random sampling, 1.192 men and 617 women prisoners were evaluated for the presence of psychiatric disorders by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, 2.1 version, according to definitions and criteria of International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). The prevalence estimates of mental disorders and their respective 95% confidence intervals were calculated and adjusted for sample design through complex sample analysis.ResultsLifetime and 12-month prevalence rates differed between genders. Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of any mental disorder was, respectively, 68.9% and 39.2% among women, and 56.1% and 22.1% among men. Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of anxious-phobic disorders was, respectively, 50% and 27.7% among women and 35.3% and 13.6% among men, of affective disorders was 40% and 21% among women and 20.8% and 9.9% among men, and of drug-related disorders was 25.2% and 1.6% among women and 26.5% and 1.3% among men. For severe mental disorders (psychotic, bipolar disorders, and severe depression), the lifetime and 12-month prevalence rates were, respectively, 25.8% and 14.7% among women, and 12.3% and 6.3% among men.ConclusionsThis is the first large-scale epidemiological study performed with the prison population in Brazil, revealed high rates of psychiatric disorders among men and women. Many similarities, as well as some differences, were found between our results and those of studies conducted in other countries. The differences observed are more likely due to the peculiarities of the prison systems in each country than to the diagnostic criteria adopted in the studies. This fact reinforces the importance of conducting such studies as part of planning and development of appropriate policies for the particular mental health needs of specific prison populations.

RESUMO: Introdução: As prevalências de depressão em presídios são altas, porém não há clareza sobre os fatores de risco entre os sexos. Analisamos os fatores associados à depressão entre homens e mulheres presos no estado de São Paulo. Metodologia: Estudo transversal, de 2006 a 2007, com amostra probabilística estratificada e em múltiplos estágios. Aplicaram-se o Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) para diagnóstico psiquiátrico e questionário sobre histórico criminal em 1.192 homens e 617 mulheres. As prevalências foram calculadas para vida e fatores associados, para cada sexo, analisadas por meio da regressão logística multinomial. A variável dependente foi categorizada em: depressão, outro transtorno e sem transtorno mental. Resultados: A prevalência de depressão em mulheres foi de 33,3% (30,3 - 36,5) e em homens de 12,9% (11,1 - 15,0). Entre homens, foram associados à depressão falta disciplinar no presídio, histórico infracional na adolescência, ter companheira e problemas de saúde. Associados a outros transtornos: histórico infracional na adolescência e reincidência. Entre mulheres, as associações com depressão foram: problemas de saúde, crime de drogas e violência, estar presa em penitenciária e reincidência. Outros transtornos foram com problemas de saúde, reincidência, histórico infracional e crime violento. Discussão: Resultados confirmam estudos sobre diferenças entre os sexos para fatores associados à depressão. Conclusão: Há diferenças no perfil de homens e mulheres, que demandam distintas estratégias de enfrentamento, como coping e reabilitação em saúde para as mulheres com depressão.

O presente artigo traça considerações sobre um projeto de canto coral desenvolvido junto a adolescentes que cumprem medida socioeducativa de internação no Estado do Amazonas. Essa ação faz parte de uma política voltada para a garantia dos direitos humanos e para a inclusão em um contexto de convívio social saudável, produtivo e solidário, de forma a evitar a reincidência ao ato delituoso. A premissa desse projeto se fundamenta na concepção de ser humano em constante desenvolvimento, que transforma a si mesmo e ao meio social através das vivências partilhadas com outrem. Nesse contexto, a música favorece uma possibilidade de transformação do sujeito ao valorizar sua expressão criativa e espontânea, além de promover o desenvolvimento de habilidades artísticas, cognitivas e sociais de modo construtivo. A partir dos princípios norteadores da proposta, foram realizados ensaios, grupos reflexivos e apresentações. A metodologia utilizada centra-se em três princípios básicos: presença, afetividade e autoria. Apesar das dificuldades encontradas, as atividades evoluíram de forma significativa, tendo como resultado o desenvolvimento de interações mais saudáveis entre os adolescentes e os funcionários do centro, crescente abertura dos adolescentes na expressão de suas subjetividades, aumento da autopercepção, interesse por delinear um projeto de vida e descoberta de aptidões musicais.

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The large number of individuals with severe mental disorders in prisons worldwide has alarming implications, which leads to the question of the appropriateness of the prison system for people with this type of morbidity. This article discusses these implications, the problems in therapeutic approaches and the legal aspects in the Brazilian context.

ObjectiveTo analyze the association between drug (DAD) and alcohol (AAD) abuse and dependency and criminal and clinical background by gender of prisoners in São Paulo, Brazil.MethodCross-sectional study, random sample stratified by administrative district, from which prisons and prisoners were selected via random, multistage sampling. Psychiatric diagnoses were made with the CIDI 2.1. Lifetime prevalence and 95% CI were calculated and adjusted via analysis of complex samples. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was carried out with four categories of dependent variables: presence AAD; presence DAD; presence of another mental disorder; no mental disorders. For female alcohol and drug abuse and dependency (ADAD) were combined into a single category.ResultsThe sample was composed by 1809 interviewed prisoners (1192 men and 617 women). Prevalence of DAD and AAD was 25.2% and 15.6%, respectively, among female prisoners, and 26.5% and 18.5% among males. Male prisoners with DAD were more likely to have a criminal record as an adolescent (OR 2.17), to be a repeat offender (OR 2.85), and to have committed a property crime (OR 2.18). Prisoners with AAD were repeat offenders (OR 2.18). Among female prisoners, ADAD was associated with repeat offenses (OR 3.39), a criminal record as an adolescent (OR 9.24), a clinical or infectious condition (OR 5.09), another health problem (OR 3.04), and violent crime (OR 2.5).ConclusionThe study confirmed an association between drug-use disorders and the criminal and clinical background in the study population. Prisoners with such disorders were more likely to be repeat offenders and to have a criminal record as adolescents. Among female prisoners disorders were also associated with violent crime and health problems, while among males they were associated with property crime. These patterns in clinical and criminal backgrounds illustrate the need for social rehabilitation programs and specific medical treatment for prison populations.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in the prison population in the State of São Paulo, Brazil.Methods: Through stratified random sampling, 1.192 men and 617 women prisoners were evaluated for the presence of psychiatric disorders by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, 2.1 version, according to definitions and criteria of International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). The prevalence estimates of mental disorders and their respective 95% confidence intervals were calculated and adjusted for sample design through complex sample analysis.Results: Lifetime and 12-month prevalence rates differed between genders. Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of any mental disorder was, respectively, 68.9% and 39.2% among women, and 56.1% and 22.1% among men. Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of anxious-phobic disorders was, respectively, 50% and 27.7% among women and 35.3% and 13.6% among men, of affective disorders was 40% and 21% among women and 20.8% and 9.9% among men, and of drug-related disorders was 25.2% and 1.6% among women and 26.5% and 1.3% among men. For severe mental disorders (psychotic, bipolar disorders, and severe depression), the lifetime and 12-month prevalence rates were, respectively, 25.8% and 14.7% among women, and 12.3% and 6.3% among men.Conclusions: This is the first large-scale epidemiological study performed with the prison population in Brazil, revealed high rates of psychiatric disorders among men and women. Many similarities, as well as some differences, were found between our results and those of studies conducted in other countries. The differences observed are more likely due to the peculiarities of the prison systems in each country than to the diagnostic criteria adopted in the studies. This fact reinforces the importance of conducting such studies as part of planning and development of appropriate policies for the particular mental health needs of specific prison populations.

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