Psychiatric symptoms, psychological distress and somatic comorbidity among remand prisoners in Switzerland

Abstract

Objective: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms and complaints among remand prisoners in Switzerland and to analyze the relationships between psychiatric symptoms, physical health and substance abuse problems in this population.

Method: The medical files of all detainees attending the prison health service in 2007 were reviewed. Identified health problems were coded using the International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC-2). Descriptive statistics and measures of association were computed.

Results: A total of 1510 files were analyzed. Several associations between psychological symptoms (anxiety and insomnia) and physical health problems (skin, respiratory and circulatory) were observed. Substance abuse was also frequently associated with somatic health problems.

Conclusions: These data provide the first comprehensive description of the mental health of detainees in Switzerland's largest remand prison. Our findings emphasize the need for coordinated health care services in detention settings.