Self-Reported Prevalence of Medical Conditions Within a Correctional Population

• NCJ Number: 226339
• Journal: Corrections Compendium Volume: 33 Issue: 6 Dated: November/December 2008 Pages: 1,2,4-6,27,28
• Author(s): Jonathan W. Gietzen; Jennifer K. Van Atta; Jared Hough
• Date Published: November 2008
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Survey results are presented from a comprehensive health history study of inmates held at Washington County Community Corrections in Hillsboro, OR.

Abstract

Results are presented in the areas of demographics, general health, mental health, head and neck, oral health, sleep hygiene, immunizations, drugs and alcohol, and sexuality and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Highlights of the survey results include: (1) 76 percent of male inmates were between the ages of 18 and 40; (2) 52 percent of the males and 59 percent of females reported having a religious or spiritual belief system; (3) 25 percent of male inmates and nearly half of females rated their current health as poor to fair; (4) 39 percent of males and 61 percent of females reported having been either diagnosed or treated for depression; (5) 29 percent of males and 67 percent of females reported a history of having experienced mental abuse; (6) 39 percent of males and 51 percent of females reported their sleep as non-restorative; (7) 24 percent of males and 31 percent of females report current immunization for hepatitis B; (8) slightly more than 80 percent of both genders reported a history of trying recreational drugs; (9) 11 percent of males and 43 percent of females admitted to having shared needles when trying intravenous drugs; and (10) approximately 30 percent of both populations reported having sexual intercourse with two to four different partners within the past year. The prevalence of a wide variety of chronic medical conditions within the 2 million-strong United States prison population is very high. A rational approach is suggested to the management of common chronic health care problems may reduce recidivism rates in this population. Comprehensive health histories were compiled from 168 inmates, both males and females, held at Washington County Community Corrections in Hillsboro, OR. References