Abstract:
Researches around the world have demonstrated the higher prevalence of mental illness in
prisons when compared to the general population. However there is a dearth of data on mental illness,
among prisoners from low and lower middle-income countries. We hypothesize that there is an
increased prevalence of common mental disorders (CM.D.) in Indian prisons, when compared to the
general population. The study aims to find the prevalence and correlates of common mental disorders
among incarcerated men in a prison in Kerala, South India. Randomly selected sample of 329 male prisoners were interviewed between November 2008 and May 2009. Prevalence was measured using
the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Socio demographic information, reports of repeated
incarceration, history of mental illness, hazardous alcohol use and substance abuse were also
collected and compared. Prevalence of common mental disorder was 18.2% (n=60; 95% Confidence
interval (Cl) 14.2-22.8); and men from younger age groups were at an increased risk. After adjusting
for age, we found higher risk among married men, those with two or more children and those who
had experienced extreme poverty. Men affected were more likely to report history of psychiatric
illness, suicidal attempt(s) and family history of psychiatric illness; and were also more likely to seek
general medical care from the prison hospital. Associations were also found with repeated jail
incarceration, prescription drug abuse and use of Marijuana during the past 12 months. The final
multivariate model found poverty (OR 3.4; 95% (Cl) 1.8-6.6), use of marijuana during the past 12
months (OR 3.8; 95% (CI) 1.8-8.2), seeking general medical care (OR 2.7; 95% (Cl) 1.3-5.6), history
of suicidal attempt(s) (OR 4.9; 95% (Cl) 2-11.7), and repeated incarceration (OR 2.3; 95% (Cl) 1.03
5.0) independently associated with common mental disorders. Our study found significantly higher
rates of common mental disorder among incarcerated men (18.2%) compared to general Indian
population (6.54%). It is closely associated with several high risk behaviors. Public health implication
of the results will be discussed at the congress.
