Prevalence of skin diseases in Taiwan prisons: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of skin diseases among prisoners in Taiwan has rarely been investigated. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of skin diseases by sex in a sample of prisoners in Taiwan. METHODS: We included 83,048 participants from the National Health Insurance Program. The outcomes were measured using the clinical version of the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision. For prevalence, we presented absolute values as well as percentages. We also conducted an X2 test to assess sex differences and age group differences in the percentages of skin and subcutaneous tissue diseases. RESULTS: The prevalence of skin diseases was 42.25%, higher than that in the general population. The prevalence of skin diseases among male prisoners was higher than that among female prisoners (p < 0.001), and the prevalence of skin diseases among prisoners who were ≤ 40 was higher than that among prisoners who were > 40. Among all cases diagnosed with skin disease, the top three diseases were contact dermatitis and other types of eczema, cellulitis and abscess, pruritus, and related conditions. Male prisoners had a significantly higher prevalence of all types of skin diseases than female prisoners. CONCLUSIONS: Skin diseases are common in prisoners in Taiwan. Therefore, early prevention and appropriate treatment are needed. Male-specific skin products are also needed, given the differences in the prevalence of skin diseases among male and female prisoners.

The prevalence of mental disorders in Taiwanese prisons: a nationwide population-based study.

PURPOSE: In Taiwan, few studies explored the morbidity of mental disorders among prisoners. The purpose of this study is conducted to estimate the prevalence of mental disorders in Taiwanese prisoners. METHODS: Based on Nationwide population-based databank, 82,650 prisons were studied for mental disorders. Mental disorders were assessed with the International Classification of Diseases 9th revision Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM). RESULT: The prevalence of mental disorders among prisoners was estimated 11.31%. Female prisons exhibited a higher prevalence than males (17.82% vs. 10.56%, p < 0.01). Among all cases that were diagnosed with the contents of mental disorder, anxiety, dissociative and somatoform disorders was the most frequent disease (total: 49.48%, female: 59.42%, male: 47.55%) followed by special symptoms or syndromes (total: 38.24%, female: 33.20%, male: 39.22%), drug dependence (total: 15.41%, female: 9.22%, male: 16.61%), episodic mood disorders (total: 13.56%, female: 26.15%, male: 11.12%), nondependent abuse of drugs (total: 11.23%, female: 2.77%, male: 12.87%) and depressive disorder (total: 11.23%, female: 11.66%, male: 11.14%). CONCLUSION: A substantial proportion of prisoners reported having mental disorders. The results suggests the necessity of comprehensive assessment and more treatment programs that offer alternatives to incarceration of mental health for the criminal justice system in Taiwan.