Long stay patients in a Nigerian prison mental hospital: survey of their psychosocial problems

The authors describe a study of the psychosocial problems of long-stay residents of the Prison Mental Hospital in Enugu, Nigeria, undertaken in 1988. The study sample consisted of those who had been hospitalized for a period of 2 years or more. Of the total population of 209, 70 patients (64 males, 6 females) or 33.5 percent met the criterium for long-stay patients. Using a structured questionnaire, the following data were obtained in relation to each patient: personal demographic characteristics, diagnosis, current mental state, current treatment, social contacts and degree of sociability within the hospital, recreational activities, social contacts outside the hospital, attitude of family members towards the patient, self-care, sexual behaviour, future plans, social acceptability and potential for eventual employment. It appeared that most residents were chronic schizophrenics, admitted through law enforcement agencies, and lacking social support. The authors argue for the establishment of a programme of social and occupational rehabilitation of long-stay patients, starting in the hospital and continuing after their discharge. Bibliogr., sum. in English and French.