SynthesisBMC psychiatry2025
Suicidal ideation, attempted suicide and determinants among prisoners in Ethiopia 2024: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in BMC psychiatry, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Suicidal behavior and Ethiopian students: a systematic review and meta-analysis study.BMC psychiatry · 2026Pooled it
- Mental Health Screening in Prison: Psychometric Evaluation of the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 Among Incarcerated Men in Mexico.Actas espanolas de psiquiatria · 2026Article
- HMDF-Net: a transfer learning-based heterogeneous multimodal dynamic fusion network for depression detection among inmates in correctional facilities.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
18 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionPrisoners face severe restrictions on freedom and social connections, negatively impacting their mental health and increasing suicidal thoughts and attempts. Suicide is a significant public health concern, with rates among inmates much higher than in the general population. Research indicates that suicidal ideation is common among convicts. Despite the alarming prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts among inmates, many countries lack comprehensive data on prison suicides, highlighting the need for targeted preventive strategies. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to synthesize findings of different studies and pool them to provide a comprehensive figure of suicidal ideation and attempts among prisoners and to inform policymakers on improving health services for vulnerable inmates.
objectiveThis study comprehensively assessed and pooled the prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts and the effect size of determinants among prisoners in Ethiopia.
methodsSystematic searches for observational studies were conducted in various databases, including PubMed (MEDLINE), CINAHL (EBSCO), Embase, Web of Science, HINARI, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Mednar, and the Cochrane Library. Observational studies involving inmates from 2015 to 2024 were included, except those who fulfill exclusion criteria. Four research groups independently selected studies, extracted data, and assessed quality. Nine studies involving 4435 prisoners were included. A meta-analysis using random-effects models was performed.
resultsA total of nine studies involving 4435 study participants were included in the review. This study of studies revealed that the pooled prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempted suicide among prisoners in Ethiopia was 23.28% (95% confidence intervals (CI): 12.26%, 34.29%) and 10.20% (95% CI: 8.63%, 11.78%), respectively. Depression, poor social support, suicidal history, and previous mental illness were significantly associated. Statistically significant heterogeneity across included studies was found both for suicidal ideation (I
conclusionThis study revealed a high prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts among prisoners. These public health problems are significantly determined by depression, poor social support, mental illness, and family history of suicide. The review advocates for integrating mental health services in prisons, including routine screenings, while emphasizing the need to combat the marginalization of prisoners for meaningful change.
trial registrationThe protocol for this study was submitted and registered in PROSPERO on 03 May 2024, and the first version of this protocol was published on 14 May 2024 with the PROSPERO ID of CRD42024542958.
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