Prevalence of Mental Disorders among Prisoners in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

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.

Major Depression and Psychiatric Disorders in Iranian Prisoners Based on a Clinical Interview: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Consistent with our results, the current reviews have been shown that psychiatric disorders are more prevalent in prisoners than general population (4,22). Andreoli et al in Brazil (2014) reported that a 12-month prevalence of any mental disorder was 39.2% among women, and 22.1% among men which was much lower than the percentage in this study (23). Some divergences in studies can be resolved by difference in the methodological approach.…”

Fatores associados à depressão em homens e mulheres presos

“…Although women in general do not present a violent profile, dangerousness becomes more significant when there is psychiatric morbidity 31 . Thus, the female population of our study presented high psychiatric morbidity, especially with comorbidities, as can be seen in a previous publication 3 .…”

“…Mental illness in prison institutions as a result of prison confirnment, 1 is a public health issue recognized worldwide, especially due to the high prevalence of depression 2,3 . This, in turn, leads us to think about the strong association with suicidal behavior 4,5 , worsening health conditions and issues regarding the re-socialization of prisoners after release.…”

Prevalence of mental disorders at admission to the penal justice system in emerging countries: a study from Chile

“…Prevalence rates in this admission study point to much higher numbers than reported in studies of existing prisoners from Chile, South America (Pondé et al 2011;Mundt et al 2013;Andreoli et al 2014) and from other emerging countries (Adesanya et al 1997;Assadi et al 2006;Colmenares Bermúdez et al 2007;Zahari et al 2010;Naidoo & Mkize, 2012). Prevalence rates in this admission study point to much higher numbers than reported in studies of existing prisoners from Chile, South America (Pondé et al 2011;Mundt et al 2013;Andreoli et al 2014) and from other emerging countries (Adesanya et al 1997;Assadi et al 2006;Colmenares Bermúdez et al 2007;Zahari et al 2010;Naidoo & Mkize, 2012).…”