Prevalence of Depression, Anxiety and Stress among Criminal Detainees With Reference to Mizan Teferi Criminal Correction Center, South West Ethiopia

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of depression, anxiety andstress among prisoners in Mizan Teferi criminal correction center. To achieve the statedobjectives, mixed research design particularly triangulation approach was used. For thisreason, questionnaire, in-depth interview and FGD guides were used to collectquantitative data from a random sample of 372 prisoners, qualitative data from 20interview and 16 FGD participants. To analyze the quantitative data, percentage, mean,standard deviation, independent t-test and ANOVA were used; whereas the qualitativedata were transcribed and interpreted using thematic analysis and direct quotation. Theresults indicated that the prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety and stress werehigh among prisoners. Symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress were more prevalentamong prisoners who were serving less than one-year period than those who stayed forlong period of time. Depression, anxiety and stress were more prevalent among femaleprisoners than their male counter parts. Isolation from immediate family members, theliving situation in the prison center, guilty feeling for committing crime, absence offreedom and isolation from the social gathering were identified as the major commonreasons for mental health problem in prison center. Improving the availability andquality of mental health services in prison center and awareness creation programs isrecommended to deliver adequate care to this group.