Demographic Characteristics and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder In Prison Inmates of Zahedan, Iran

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one the anxiety disorders caused by a specific event, i.e. catastrophic events such as natural disasters, war, and imprisonment in labor camps, or more ordinary adversities as a relative death, divorce and theft. What is important in these events is the individual’s response. As prisoners are exposed to such incidents.
This study aimed at determining the prevalence of PTSDs in this group.
This study was a cross-sectional and correlation type survey on 584 prisoners in Zahedan Prison, Iran in 2011. Convenience sampling was applied. The subjects filled PTSD (Mississippi) questionnaire in groups. The data were analyzed using chi-squared test, one factor analysis of variance and post-hoc Tukey test.
The results showed that the prevalence of PTSD in prisoners was 26%. Demographic variables such as age, mass, and length of the sentence passed with PTSD were related, but the level of education, occupation and marital status had no relationship with the disorder.
Discussion and The results showed that the prisoners were at risk of PTSD. This shows the necessity of coping skills training for prisoners; also, prevention of this disorder is advised.