Assessment of the Health Status of Women in Prison

A Comparison between Drug Users versus Non-users

Dados Bibliográficos

ID21513577
AutoresJoana Alves (0000-0003-2858-7803, University of Minho), Gabriela Martinho (0000-0003-0225-5632, University of Maia—ISMAI, Castêlo da Maia, Maia, Portugal, autor correspondente), Marcelo Gonçalves (0000-0002-6174-0163, University of Minho), Ângela Da Costa Maia (0000-0003-1343-9699, University of Minho)
Ano2023
Volume67
Fascículo16
Páginas1615-1629
Data de publicação2023-12-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoInternational Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0306-624X • E-ISSN: 1552-6933
EditoraSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0306624x221132218
PMID36377114
OpenAlexW4309099347
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas1
Referências citadas35

This study aims to analyze the history of substances use, clinical diagnoses, contacts with healthcare, and health complaints. Also, it aims to compare the health status of substance users versus non-users. Health records of 93 detained women from a prison in northern Portugal, with a mean age of 38.02 years old, were reviewed and coded using both International Classification of Primary Care—2 and International Classification of Diseases—10th. Data revealed high percentages of detainees with a history of substance use and pre-existing clinical diagnosis. During the first month of imprisonment, on average, participants had complained to a health professional 14.63 times. Substance users were younger and presented more mental health problems and health complaints. Health policies and professional practices in prison must include immediate assessment of a woman’s health concerns and foster the development of efficient protocols to address those problems, especially substance use disorder treatment

Criminology · Family medicine · Health care · Imprisonment · Mental health · Prison · Psychiatry · Substance use · Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis · Medicine · Prenatal Substance Exposure Effects · Psychology · Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes