Predictors of mental health service utilization in the 12�months before imprisonment: analysis of results from a national prisons survey

Abstract

Objective: To describe the self-reported history of health service utilization and helpseeking to those who are drug-dependent in the period of time prior to imprisonment.Method: A cross-section survey of 3142 sentenced or remand prisoners in English prisons completed private, face-to-face interviews with trained Office for National Statistics staff covering a full structured psychiatric assessment interview. Specific questions about service utilization prior to imprisonment were included, as were questions on patterns of drug use and dependence prior to imprisonment.Results: Receipt of any form of help was demographically most strongly associated with being older, white and female. Women were about twice as likely as men to report having received help for mental or emotional problems. Older age was also consistently associated with greater levels of reporting having received help, for both genders but only for use of general practitioners. Being black was strongly associated with reduced likelihood of re...