Abstract

Background: Depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are among the most prevalent mental disorders in correctional settings and contribute substantially to psychological distress, impaired functioning, and poor quality of life among inmates. Despite the growing burden
of mental health problems in prisons, evidence from Northeastern Nigeria remains limited. Objective: Depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are among the most prevalent mental disorders in correctional settings and contribute substantially to psychological distress,
impaired functioning, and poor quality of life among inmates. Despite the growing burden of mental health problems in prisons, evidence from Northeastern Nigeria remains limited.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 144 adult inmates of the Maiduguri Medium Security Custodial Center, Borno State, Nigeria. Participants were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected using a socio-demographic questionnaire,
the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview version 7.0 (MINI 7.0). Participants who screened positive on the PHQ-9 and/or GAD-7 underwent diagnostic assessment using the relevant MINI modules. Prevalence estimates were based on MINI-confirmed diagnoses.
Results: Of the 144 inmates assessed, 131 were diagnosed with GAD, yielding a prevalence of 91.0% (95% CI: 85.2%–94.6%), while 127 met diagnostic criteria for depression, corresponding to a prevalence of 88.2% (95% CI: 81.9%–92.5%). Most participants were male (96.5%), and the median age was 34 years (IQR = 15.75). The findings indicate a substantial burden of anxiety and depressive disorders among inmates.
Conclusion: A high prevalence of depression and GAD was observed among inmates in this correctional facility. These findings underscore the need for routine mental health screening, timely referral pathways, and accessible mental health services within correctional settings.
Further multi-centre studies are required to establish the broader burden of these disorders among incarcerated populations in Nigeria.

Key words: Depression; Generalized Anxiety Disorder; Inmates; Correctional Facility; Nigeria.