Substance use and psychiatric morbidity among inmates in a Nigerian correctional centre: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: Psychoactive substance use and its associated disorders are common among inmates of correctional services. The burden of substance/drug misuse among inmates has not been adequately characterized in the Nigerian population. This study aims to determine the prevalence and pattern of psychoactive substance use and its association with psychological distress among inmates in a correctional service centre.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: This was a cross-sectional study, conducted at two correctional service units in Benin Metropolis in Nigeria, with a total of 163 inmate-participants. The Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (substance use disorder and alcohol use disorder module) and General Health Questionnare-12 were used to collect data on substance use and psychological disability, respectively.

FINDINGS: The prevalence of lifetime and current (past month) use of substance(s) were 76.7% and 33.7%, respectively. A total of 26 (16.0%) subjects had a diagnosable alcohol use disorder, while 28 (17.2%) had other substance use disorder. A total of 19 (73.1%) and 21(85.8%) reported moderate-severe alcohol use disorder and other substance use disorder, respectively. A total of 121 (74.2%) participants had psychological distress. There was a significant association between the presence of psychological distress and substance use (p = 0.02).

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This study, using a standardized diagnostic tool, has established a high prevalence of lifetime and current use of psychoactive substances, as well as quantifying the disorders associated with alcohol/other substance use habit among prison inmates. This disclosed burden in prison may serve as a highlight to the policymakers and or managers of correctional centres to incorporate drug treatment programs in rehabilitation schemes.