Browsing by Author "Posholi, Malerotholi"
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- ItemAn exploration of the perceptions of prison health care personnel regarding the accessibility of mental health services for inmates in Maseru prison(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04) Posholi, Malerotholi; Mayers, Pat; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Nursing & Midwifery.ENGLISH SUMMARY : Introduction: There are about 450 million people globally who have mental illness. About one in nine prisoners globally suffer from common psychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety. Psychiatric disorders are more prevalent among the prisoners than the general population. Mental health problems are prevalent in low and middle income countries but little attention is given to mental health services in these countries. The 2013 Global Burden of Disease Study found depression to be the second foremost source of incapacity globally and a main contributor to the burden of suicide and ischaemic heart disease. The high incidences of severe psychiatric disorders in prisons remain a challenge for mental health services. There are over 10 million inmates with mental illness globally. It has been found that a high percentage of the correctional residents have psychiatric disorders, for which there is need for proper care and support. Most of the reported studies were piloted in advanced countries, where mental illness in prison has received greater attention. In Lesotho little is known about the nature and effectiveness of mental health services; no study of this kind has as yet been done specifically in Lesotho with regard to mental illness among inmates in Lesotho prisons. Aim: The aim of the study was to explore the perceptions of health care personnel regarding the availability of and access to mental health care services for inmates in Maseru Prison. Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was used in this study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine participants. Findings: The perception of health care personnel in Maseru Prison was that there are increased numbers of inmates with mental illness in Maseru Prison, but they are undiagnosed and therefore not treated due to lack of knowledge among the present health care personnel. Mental health services are not accessible as there is no psychiatrist, psychologist nor medications to treat mentally ill inmates. Most health care personnel reported that they lacked confidence and competence in assisting mentally ill inmates as they don’t have knowledge concerning mental illness since mental health issues were not covered during their training. Conclusion: Minimal mental health services are provided at Maseru Prison due to lack of knowledge and unavailability of qualified mental health personnel. It is clear that mental health services in prisons are a global problem, including in Lesotho. It is therefore important that the ministry of Health addresses shortages of mental health care personnel working in Maseru Prison and closes the gap of lack of knowledge concerning mental health services by training the available personnel on psychiatric services.