Substance use disorder and associated factors among prisoners in a correctional institution in Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundSubstance use disorder is an important public health problem and one of the major causes of disability worldwide. Substance use and criminal behavior are closely related and there is a significant association between substance misuse and crime, but little is known about substance use disorder among prisoners, in particular in low-income countries. Therefore, we investigated substance use disorder and associated factors in inmates of a correctional institution in Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia.MethodsWe used a cross-sectional study design to collect data from 336 prisoners from June 5 to July 5, 2017. Study participants were selected from the total of 1460 prisoners eligible for the study by a systematic random sampling technique, i.e., one participant was randomly selected from every four consecutive admissions in the registration book. Alcohol use disorder, nicotine dependence, khat abuse, cannabis use disorder, psychopathy, adverse traumatic life events, and social support were assessed. Data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed in bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models with the Statistical Package for Social Science version 21. Variables with a P value < 0.05 in the final fitting model were declared to be associated with the outcome variable.ResultsThe overall prevalence of substance use disorder was 55.9%. The prevalence of khat abuse was 41.9%; alcohol use disorder, 36.2%; nicotine dependence, 19.8%; and cannabis use disorder, 3.6%. Poor social support, living in urban areas, psychopathy, and a family history of substance use were positively associated with substance use disorder.ConclusionsSubstance use disorder is prevalent among prisoners. The increased morbidity and unpleasant psychosocial consequences associated with substance use disorder, together with our finding that 66.3% of prisoners with substance use disorder were interested in obtaining treatment, suggest a need to establish prison-based treatment in this correctional institution in Jimma.

Predictors of substance use among Jimma University instructors, Southwest Ethiopia

“…The difference may be due to the socio-cultural difference between the study settings. The prevalence of tobacco results in this study is also lower than the study conducted in Jimma town 35.5% and Jimma psychiatric outpatient ward 20.5% [22,28] and Jimma town prisoners which was 19.8% [21].…”

“…This study showed that the prevalence of substance use disorder among Jimma University instructors was 36.9%. The current finding was lower than the study done in Jimma town prisoners which were 55% [21]. This is also relatively higher than the study conducted in Ukraine and USA lifetime prevalence rates of substance use disorders 15 and 8% respectively [29,30].…”

“…A study done in Jimma town on prisoners related to substance use disorder shows that the overall prevalence of substance use disorder was 55.9%. The prevalence of khat abuse was 41.9%; alcohol use disorder, 36.2%; nicotine dependence, 19.8%; and cannabis use disorder, 3.6% and a family history of substance use were positively associated with substance use disorder [21].…”

Factors Associated with Substance Use Disorder among Adolescents Age Group: An Integrative Review

“…A cross-sectional study conducted in the correctional institute in Jimma by Yitayih et al [17] on prisoners to study the prevalence of SUD among prisoners in Jimma and their associated factors. The participants were 336 (66.6% aged less than 30 and 33.4% with age more than 30).…”

“…The socio-cultural factors such as; lack of monitoring by parents, lack of social support, sexual abuse, lack of bonding, and victimization by family increase the risk for adolescents to have SUD[17] [18]. The biological factors such as; personal tendencies (curiosity and experimentation) among adolescent increased the risk to have SUD[1].…”