Prevalence of Depression and Its Associated Factors among Prisoners in North Wollo Zone, Northeastern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background. Depression is a psychiatric disorder that is characterized by persistent sadness and a lack of interest or pleasure in previously rewarding and enjoyable activities. It is one of the leading mental disorders among prisoners worldwide. However, little attention is given to this condition,...

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Main Authors: Kindie Mekuria Tegegne, Solomon Moges Demeke, Mekonnin Tesfa Lemma, Ayelign Mengesha Kassie
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Limited 2023-01-01
Series:Depression Research and Treatment
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/2612900
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author Kindie Mekuria Tegegne
Solomon Moges Demeke
Mekonnin Tesfa Lemma
Ayelign Mengesha Kassie
author_facet Kindie Mekuria Tegegne
Solomon Moges Demeke
Mekonnin Tesfa Lemma
Ayelign Mengesha Kassie
author_sort Kindie Mekuria Tegegne
collection DOAJ
description Background. Depression is a psychiatric disorder that is characterized by persistent sadness and a lack of interest or pleasure in previously rewarding and enjoyable activities. It is one of the leading mental disorders among prisoners worldwide. However, little attention is given to this condition, especially in developing countries. Hence, this study was aimed at assessing the prevalence of depression and its associated factors among prisoners in North Wollo Zone Correctional Institutions, Ethiopia. Methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 407 prisoners from November 20 to December 20, 2020. A simple random sampling technique was employed to select the study participants, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was utilized to measure the prevalence of depression among prisoners. Data analyses were done using SPSS version 20 software program. Descriptive and inferential statistics including bivariate and multivariable regression analyses were run to assess the association between depression and the independent variables, and a p value of less than 0.05 was taken to declare statistically significant values. Results. A total of 407 prisoners participated in the study, making the response rate 96.9%. The mean age of the participants was 31.7±12.83. Forty-one percent of them were between the ages of 18 and 27 years. In this study, the prevalence of depression was 55.5%. Age 38-47 (AOR=4.29; 95%CI=1.51, 12.20), having children (AOR=2.75; 95%CI=1.40, 5.42), sentences for 5-10 years and over 10 years (AOR=6.26; 95%CI=3.19, 12.30 and AOR=7.71; 95%CI=3.47, 17.17, respectively), having a history of mental illness (AOR=5.22; 95%CI=2.39, 11.36), having two or more stressful life events (AOR=6.61; 95%CI=2.73, 15.96), and poor social support (AOR=8.13; 95%CI=3.43, 19.27) were significantly associated with depression. Conclusions. In this study, more than half of the study participants were found having depression which is relatively higher compared with other previous studies across the globe. Moreover, different variables including the inmate’s age of 38-47 years, having children, a sentence of 5-10 and over 10 years, history of mental illness, having two or more stressful life events, and poor social support were factors significantly associated with depression. Thus, awareness creation for police officers and prison managers about depression screening in prison and treatment programs including psychological counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy for prisoners are recommended.
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spelling doaj.art-ec383f433b3241d18287c5cf5d7bf80f2023-07-04T00:00:04ZengHindawi LimitedDepression Research and Treatment2090-133X2023-01-01202310.1155/2023/2612900Prevalence of Depression and Its Associated Factors among Prisoners in North Wollo Zone, Northeastern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional StudyKindie Mekuria Tegegne0Solomon Moges Demeke1Mekonnin Tesfa Lemma2Ayelign Mengesha Kassie3Department of PsychiatryDepartment of PsychiatrySchool of NursingSchool of NursingBackground. Depression is a psychiatric disorder that is characterized by persistent sadness and a lack of interest or pleasure in previously rewarding and enjoyable activities. It is one of the leading mental disorders among prisoners worldwide. However, little attention is given to this condition, especially in developing countries. Hence, this study was aimed at assessing the prevalence of depression and its associated factors among prisoners in North Wollo Zone Correctional Institutions, Ethiopia. Methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 407 prisoners from November 20 to December 20, 2020. A simple random sampling technique was employed to select the study participants, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was utilized to measure the prevalence of depression among prisoners. Data analyses were done using SPSS version 20 software program. Descriptive and inferential statistics including bivariate and multivariable regression analyses were run to assess the association between depression and the independent variables, and a p value of less than 0.05 was taken to declare statistically significant values. Results. A total of 407 prisoners participated in the study, making the response rate 96.9%. The mean age of the participants was 31.7±12.83. Forty-one percent of them were between the ages of 18 and 27 years. In this study, the prevalence of depression was 55.5%. Age 38-47 (AOR=4.29; 95%CI=1.51, 12.20), having children (AOR=2.75; 95%CI=1.40, 5.42), sentences for 5-10 years and over 10 years (AOR=6.26; 95%CI=3.19, 12.30 and AOR=7.71; 95%CI=3.47, 17.17, respectively), having a history of mental illness (AOR=5.22; 95%CI=2.39, 11.36), having two or more stressful life events (AOR=6.61; 95%CI=2.73, 15.96), and poor social support (AOR=8.13; 95%CI=3.43, 19.27) were significantly associated with depression. Conclusions. In this study, more than half of the study participants were found having depression which is relatively higher compared with other previous studies across the globe. Moreover, different variables including the inmate’s age of 38-47 years, having children, a sentence of 5-10 and over 10 years, history of mental illness, having two or more stressful life events, and poor social support were factors significantly associated with depression. Thus, awareness creation for police officers and prison managers about depression screening in prison and treatment programs including psychological counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy for prisoners are recommended.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/2612900
spellingShingle Kindie Mekuria Tegegne
Solomon Moges Demeke
Mekonnin Tesfa Lemma
Ayelign Mengesha Kassie
Prevalence of Depression and Its Associated Factors among Prisoners in North Wollo Zone, Northeastern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Depression Research and Treatment
title Prevalence of Depression and Its Associated Factors among Prisoners in North Wollo Zone, Northeastern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
title_full Prevalence of Depression and Its Associated Factors among Prisoners in North Wollo Zone, Northeastern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
title_fullStr Prevalence of Depression and Its Associated Factors among Prisoners in North Wollo Zone, Northeastern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence of Depression and Its Associated Factors among Prisoners in North Wollo Zone, Northeastern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
title_short Prevalence of Depression and Its Associated Factors among Prisoners in North Wollo Zone, Northeastern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study
title_sort prevalence of depression and its associated factors among prisoners in north wollo zone northeastern ethiopia a cross sectional study
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/2612900
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