Citation

Albertie A, Bourey C, Stephenson R, Bautista-Arredondo S. Glob. Public Health 2015; 12(2): 170-184.

Affiliation

Center for Health Systems Research , National Institute of Public Health (INSP) , Cuernavaca , Mexico.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/17441692.2015.1091023

PMID

26465257

Abstract

Research from high-income countries suggests that prison populations are affected disproportionately by mental illness. However, little research has examined mental health among prisoners in low- and middle-income countries or associations between mental health and contextual factors surrounding the prison experience among susceptible first-time inmates in these settings. The current study examines associations between connectivity, prison environment and mental health (major depression and substance use) among novice male inmates (n = 593) in three Mexico City prisons. Severe depression (46.2%), any substance use (53.8%) and heavy substance use (45.7%) were prevalent. Among key co-variates, recent visitors were protective for severe depression, conjugal visits for any substance use and prison employment for heavy substance use. Physical attacks were associated with increased prevalence of depression, sentence time served with both any and heavy substance use and overcrowding with any substance use. These findings suggest the need for routine health assessments to improve identification and treatment programmes to minimise mental health burden. Addressing demographic risk factors as well as contextual determinants, by decreasing physical violence and overcrowding and supporting outside connections for prisoners, may help improve inmate mental health.

Language: en