MENTAL HEALTH PARAMETERS AND SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ELDERLY INMATES AT BHOPAL CENTRAL JAIL: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
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Keywords
Elderly inmates, prison mental health, cognitive impairment, depression, quality of life, correctional healthcare
Abstract
Background: The global prison population of 11.7 million includes a growing elderly demographic facing unique mental health challenges. India's prison system, with 130.2% occupancy rate, presents particularly concerning conditions for elderly inmates.
Objective: To assess mental health parameters including depression, cognitive impairment, and quality of life among elderly inmates (≥60 years) at Bhopal Central Jail and examine their relationship with sociodemographic characteristics.
Methods: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted among 201 elderly inmates using standardized instruments including Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Geriatric Depression Scale-Hindi (GDS-H), and WHO Quality of Life-BREF. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multiple regression analysis.
Results: Of 201 participants, 83.6% were male with mean age 65.2 years. Depression prevalence was significant (59.4% moderate to severe), cognitive impairment affected 60.2% (severe: 6.3%, moderate: 40.6%), and 64.1% reported good quality of life despite challenges. Murder/homicide cases constituted 43.8% of charges, with 28.4% serving life imprisonment. Significant associations were found between socioeconomic status and cognitive function (p<0.001), contact frequency and depression (p=0.024), and educational level with cognitive impairment (p<0.001).
Conclusions: Elderly inmates demonstrate substantial mental health burden requiring targeted interventions. Quality of life maintenance despite adversity suggests resilience factors that warrant further investigation.
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Amit Das
Asst. Prof., Department of Mental Health Nursing, Meridian Nursing & Paramedical College, Varanasi
Vishvajeet Dutta
Project Scientist-II, Indian Council of Medical Research- National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (ICMR-NICPR)
Piyali Saha
Asst. Prof., Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Meridian Nursing & Paramedical College, Varanasi
Sagar joshi
Nursing tutor, Government Nursing College, Haldwani (Nainital)
Sonal
Community health officer, Paniya, Pati (Champawat)
Oscar Donald Obediah
Asst. Prof, Department of Mental Health Nursing, Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh