TITLE:
Depression and Suicidal Ideations among Prisoners of the Douala Central Prison
AUTHORS:
Christian Eyoum, Josephine Manga Befolo, Guy Jonas Basseguin Atchou, Guy Calvin Mbongo’O, Jacques Narcisse Doumbe, Olen Jean Pierre Kamga, Liza Steffi Ndjeukam Bakam, Audrey Divine Miyehane, Fulgence Léonce Kengno Kologne, Fabrice Minkoa Ngah, Félicien Ntone Enyime, Ida Calixte Penda, Yacouba Mapoure Njankouo, Noël Emmanuel Essomba, Callixte Kuate Tegueu
KEYWORDS:
Depression, Suicidal Ideation, Prevalence
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Psychiatry,
Vol.13 No.3,
July
7,
2023
ABSTRACT: Introduction: The prison environment is a conducive environment for the development of psychiatric
pathologies such as depression and suicidal ideation. To date, no related study
has been conducted in Douala, Cameroon. We have therefore undertaken to study the
prevalence of these pathologies and their related factors among inmates of the Douala Central Prison. Method: We
conducted a cross-sectional study of 309 prisoners over a 6-month period from 1
January to 31 June 2022. This involved prisoners aged 18 years and over, who were
consenting and able to read and write. Data were collected during individual interviews
using a structured questionnaire. Depression was assessed by the BECK Short Form
Depression Inventory and suicidal ideation was assessed by the MINI. These data
were processed using the SPSS version 25.0 software. The related factors were studied
in bivariate and multivariate analysis. Results: Most of the prisoners were
male (97%), and more than half knew their criminal status. The prevalence of depression
was 33.7% and that of suicide ideation was 22.7%. Among the factors associated with
depression were receiving social visits and suicidal ideation. A history of physical/psychological
abuse, repeated offences and prison violence were protective factors. Factors associated
with suicidal ideation were the absence of social visits, physical abuse in childhood,
smoking in prison and depression. Suicidal ideation was independently associated
with depression as well as depression being independently associated with suicidal
ideation. Conclusion: About 1/3 of the prisoners had depression and almost 1/4 had suicidal ideations.
As a result of this and the related factors, there is a need to reorganize psychiatric
care within our prison context.