Prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among inmates of a borstal institution in Nigeria

Abstract

Studies have reported increased psychiatric morbidity among young detainees, with as many as three-quarters reported to have one or more psychiatric disorders. Despite this, however, there is a dearth of published work among young inmates of prisons, remand homes or borstal institutions in Nigeria. The aim of this study was to assess possible psychiatric morbidity among young inmates of a borstal institution in Nigeria and to determine the factors that may be associated with this morbidity. Fifty-three inmates of one of the two existing borstal institution in Nigeria were assessed for psychiatric morbidity using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). The GHQ-12 scores were compared with the socio-demographic factors of the respondents. Twenty-eight (52.8%) of the inmates were over 18 years old, 35.8% were in the middle position within the family, 62.3% were of Christian faith, and 64.2% had their parents still living together. Seventeen (32.1%) of the inmates were from Hausa ethnic extraction, 58.5% stayed for more than 6 months at the borstal institution, and 81.1% were brought to the institution by their parents. The mean age of the inmates was 17.3 years (range, 14-23 years) and 26 (49.1%) of them were GHQ-positive. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean age of GHQ-positive and GHQ-negative inmates (F=1.73, p=0.19), and none of the socio-demographic variables were significantly associated with psychiatric morbidity (i.e. GHQ-12 positivity). The study observed a high prevalence of undetected psychiatric morbidity among inmates at the borstal institution. Efforts should be intensified by the authority responsible for managing the Nigerian prison services (including the borstal institutions) to improve mental health services.

Mental health of people detained within the justice system in Africa: systematic review and meta-analysis

“…GHQ scores not reportedLow*Ajiboye et al 2009 (same sample as Adegunloye) [126]PrevalenceYouth InstitutionNigeriaNCensusNo, Yes53, 17.3, 100%NAJI * Detained in borstal institution in juvenile justice systemGHQ-12 (S), MINI-KID (D)67.9% current psychiatric disorder (MINI-KID). GHQ scores not reportedLow*Issa et al 2009 (same sample as Adegunloye) [127]PrevalenceYouth InstitutionNigeriaNCensusYes, Yes53, 17.3, 100%NAJI * Detained in borstal institution in juvenile justice system: classified “juvenile offenders” or those “in need of correction”GHQ-12 (S)49.1% GHQ-positive (> 3 on GHQ-12), indicating possible psychiatric morbidityMedium*Yusuf et al 2011 (same sample as Adegunloye) [128]PrevalenceYouth InstitutionNigeriaNCensusNo, Yes53, 17.3, 100%NAJI * I Detained in borstal institution in juvenile justice systemGHQ-12 (S), MINI-KID (D)50.9% had MINI-KID lifetime psychiatric diagnoses. Majority (62.3%) had psychiatric problems in the past 12 months.…”

The correlates of stress, coping styles and psychiatric morbidity in the first year of medical education at a Nigerian University

“…Distribution/retrieval was according to their serial/matriculation numbers, to enable appropriate matching at the subsequent surveys especially, the 1st year students who were planned for a longitudinal survey. Using a cut-off point of 3 in line with previous studies among students and occupational groups in this environment [24][25][26][27] , students who scored ≥3 on General Health Questionnaire-12(ghq-12) were regarded as having psychiatric morbidity (i.e., 'ghq-12 cases') [24][25][26][27] , and those who scored <3, were regarded as having no morbidity (i.e., 'ghq-12 'non-cases').…”

“…It has previously been used among student populations. [24][25][26][27] Data analysis Data were analysed using SPSS version 15, with level of significance set at 5%. Chi-square, Pearson's correlation, Odd ratio, and Confidence Intervals were calculated to determine the levels of risk.…”

“…The GHQ scoring method (0-0-1-1) was adopted, and a cut-off point of 3 was used in accordance with previous studies (and is noted as "psychiatric morbidity" in the Results section). 2,3,[24][25][26][27][29][30][31][32][33] Sources of stress questionnaire The 28-item source of stress questionnaire previously used by Sreeramareddy et al 17 was adapted with subtle adjustments to the contents (e.g., substituting 'cafeteria' for 'hostel' in item 1, and 'clinical rotation' for 'practical' in item 19). The questionnaires were pre-tested among 20 first year Laboratory Medical students for face and content validities.…”

Prevalence and Correlates of Psychiatric Morbidities among Undergraduates in Health-Related Disciplines in Southwestern Nigeria

“…Using a cut-off point of 3 for GHQ 12, students who scored ≥3 was regarded as having possible psychiatric morbidity (i.e., 'GHQ 12 cases'), and those who scored <3, were regarded as having no morbidity (i.e., 'GHQ 12 'non-cases') (Issa et al 2009). During submission, the mobile phone number of the 'cases' and a proportion (10%) of the 'noncases' who are selected by the simple random method was collected and they were interviewed privately (at the second stage) in the office at different times for psychiatric diagnoses using the MINI by the researcher.…”