Depression among female inmates in central prison of Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

Depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how

you feel the way you think and how you act. Studies shows that nearly 1/4th of

the prisoners released each year suffer from depression but don’t receive

treatment while incarcerated. The main objective of the study was to find out

the level of depression among the female inmates in Central Prison of

Kathmandu, Nepal and its associated factors. The cross-sectional descriptive

analytical study design along with case study was used among 92 respondents

who were selected by random sampling. Data collection was carried out using

the semi structured socio demographic performa and Beck Depression

Inventory. The data analysis was done by using SPSS version 20. Descriptive

statistics and inferential statistics i.e. chi square test was calculated. The study

revealed that 55 (59.8%) respondents were without any characteristics attitude

of depression and 37 (40.1%) respondents had symptoms of depression.

According to the result, those 37 respondents with certain symptoms of

depression, 2(2.2%), 10(20.7%) and 16(17.4%) were mild, moderate and severe

respectively in accordance with the Beck Depression Inventory. No association

was found between the level of depression and socio demographic

characteristics, imprisonment characteristics and substance use characteristics

of the prisoners. Regarding the knowledge of their right to mental health very

little 8(8.69%) had the knowledge but in contrast 78 (84.78%) had knowledge

regarding the rights to physical health of the prisoners. The study found that

the prisoners had higher level of depression. Based on these findings, it can be

suggested that the new strategies and the regular mental health check up in

the prison should be sought to prevent depression in the prison. Similarly it is

of great urgency to concentrate on mental health issue i.e. depression in

prison.