Presence of psychiatric morbidity in prison population in Kuwait.
This paper surveys the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in a Kuwaiti prison. The rate of major psychosis was considerably lower than the rate reported in other prison studies. Twenty-five percent of the sample had generalized anxiety disorder of a reactive nature which was most probably related to imprisonment itself. There was a preponderance of individuals suffering from personality disorder, alcoholism, and drug abuse problems. Prisoners with a diagnosis of major psychosis had very little exposure to psychiatrists and the large number of recidivists reflects the lack of a probation service. Financial embezzlement and drug/liquor smuggling remain the crimes of choice in Kuwait. Some underlying sociocultural factors are discussed and the need for an alternative prison-based therapeutic community service is emphasized.
Fido
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AA
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Safat.
al-Jabally
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M
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007730:Kuwait; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales