Assessment of the Health Status of Women in Prison: A Comparison between Drug Users versus Non-users

• Published date: 01 December 2023
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X221132218
• Author: Joana Alves,Gabriela Martinho,Mariana Gonçalves,Ângela Maia
• Date: 01 December 2023
• Subject Matter: Articles

https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X221132218

International Journal of

Offender Therapy and

Comparative Criminology

2023, Vol. 67(16) 1615 –1629

© The Author(s) 2022

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DOI: 10.1177/0306624X221132218

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Article

Assessment of the Health

Status of Women in Prison:

A Comparison between

Drug Users versus Non-users

Joana Alves1, Gabriela Martinho2,

Mariana Gonçalves1, and Ângela Maia1

Abstract

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.

Keywords

detained women, health records, substance use, clinical diagnosis, prison health care,

health complaints

1School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal

2University of Maia—ISMAI, Castêlo da Maia, Maia, Portugal

Corresponding Author:

Gabriela Martinho, University of Maia—ISMAI, Avenida Carlos de Oliveira Campos, Castêlo da Maia,

Maia 4475-690, Portugal.

Email: gmartinho@ismai.pt

1132218IJOXXX10.1177/0306624X221132218International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative CriminologyAlves et al.

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