Association between time in detention and rates of mental illness

January 01, 0001

Association between time in detention and rates of mental illness

The aim of this study by researchers from Wollongong, New South Wales was to determine the health status of people in Australian immigration detention centres and the effect of time in, and reason for, detention by an analysis of the health records of 720 of the 7375 people in detention in July 2005-June 2006, with oversampling of those detained for > 3 months.

People in detention had an estimated 1.2 health encounters per person-week. Those detained for more than 24 months had particularly poor health, both mental and physical. Asylum seekers had more health problems than other people in detention. The main health problems varied depending on the length of time in detention, but included dental, mental health, and musculoskeletal problems, and lacerations. Both time in, and reason for, detention were significantly related to the rate of new mental health problems. The relationship between these variables and the incidence rates of physical health problems was more complex

 The authors concluded: “People in immigration detention are frequent users of health services, and there is a clear association between time in detention and rates of mental illness. Government policies internationally should be informed by evidence from studies of the health of this marginalised and often traumatised group.”

If preceding mental illness or pre-morbid influences are involved, this is still of concern.


For the full abstract, click here.

MJA published online 14 December 2009. © 2009 to The Medical Journal of Australia
The health of people in Australian immigration detention centres. Janette P Green and Kathy Eagar. Correspondence to Dr. Kathy Eagar: [email protected]

Category: HSR. Health Services Research. Keywords: health, immigration, detention centres, Australia, analysis of health records
Synopsis edited by Dr Stephen Wilkinson, Melbourne, Australia. Posted on Global Family Doctor 20 January 2010

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.

COVID-19 Resources

WONCA webinars, journal links and more

WONCA position statements

WONCA statements on a variety of issues

PEARLS

577 Individual behavioural counselling helps people to quit smoking 575 Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements may be beneficial in age-related macular degeneration 574 Oral antifungals effective for toenail onychomycosis 570 Decision aids beneficial for people facing health treatment or screening decisions 569 Computer-generated reminders on paper benefit quality of care