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Prevalence of Mental Disorders in Prisoners in the City of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

NCJ Number
234654
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 56 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2011 Pages: 679-682
Author(s)
Milena P. Ponde, M.D., Ph.D.; Antonio C. C. Freire, M.D.; Milena S. S. Mendonca, B.Sc.
Date Published
May 2011
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The number of individuals affected by serious psychiatric disorders in Brazilian prisons is unknown. This cross-sectional study was conducted in prison complexes within the city of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
Abstract
The sample consisted of 497 prisoners, and the outcome measure was the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. The prevalence rates found in the closed and semi-open prison systems, respectively, were as follows: depression 17.6 percent and 18.8 percent; bipolar mood disorder 5.2 percent and 10.1 percent; anxiety disorders 6.9 percent and 14.4 percent; borderline personality disorder 19.7 percent and 34.8 percent; antisocial personality disorder 26.9 percent and 24.2 percent; alcohol addiction 26.6 percent and 35.3 percent; drug addiction 27.9 percent and 32.4 percent; psychosis 1.4 percent and 12.6 percent; attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in childhood 10.3 percent and 22.2 percent; and ADHD in adulthood 4.1 percent and 5.3 percent. This study revealed higher rates of substance-related disorders and lower rates of psychotic and mood disorders compared to other prevalence studies carried out in prison populations. (Published Abstract)