Prevalence of Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma Among Male Prisoners in Sulaymaniyah Reformatory Center

Background:Prisoners often experience a higher prevalence of mental health disorders compared to the general population, including anxiety, depression, and trauma-related disorders. This study assesses the levels of psychological distress among male prisoners in Sulaymaniyah Reformatory Center, Iraq.Objective:The study aimed to determine the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among male prisoners and to explore the associations between these disorders and socio-demographic factors, as well as the duration of detention.Methods:An institution-based cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study was conducted in 2023. A total of 99 male prisoners were assessed using semi-structured interviews, which included the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-25 (HSCL-25) for anxiety and depression, and the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ) for PTSD. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0, and Pearsons chi-square and ANOVA tests were applied to explore associations.Results:Of the 99 prisoners assessed, 69% exhibited symptoms of anxiety, depression, and/or PTSD. The prevalence of anxiety was 94.1%, depression 95.6%, and PTSD 61.8%. No significant associations were found between age, education, and marital status with the mental health outcomes, though a significant association was observed between the duration of detention and the severity of anxiety symptoms.Conclusion:The study found high levels of psychological distress among prisoners in Sulaymaniyah Reformatory Center, underlining the urgent need for mental health awareness and the establishment of early screening and treatment strategies in Iraqi prisons.