To (a) characterise medication use and knowledge, according
to Indigenous status, and (b) identify independent correlates of medication
knowledge in a sample of adult prisoners.
Cross-sectional survey of 1,231 adult prisoners in
Queensland, interviewed within six weeks of release. Measures included self-reported
demographic and health-related characteristics, self-reported use of
medications, the Hayes Ability Screening Index (HASI) and the Short-Form Health
Survey (SF-36). Objective medication data were abstracted from prison medical
records. A medication knowledge score was calculated to reflect the agreement
between self-reported and objective medication use.
46% of participants were taking at least one medication. The
most common class of medication was Central Nervous System (30% of participants).
Medication knowledge was generally poor, with one quarter of prisoners unable
to accurately identify any of their medications. Independent correlates of poor
medication knowledge included not taking Central Nervous System medications,
identifying as Indigenous and age >54.
Around half prisoners are taking medications in prison, but
most have poor knowledge of what these medications are. Medication knowledge is
associated with better adherence and may contribute to improved health outcomes
post-release. Changes to prescribing and dispensing practices in prison may
improve medication knowledge and health outcomes in this profoundly
marginalised group.
Purchase full article at: http://goo.gl/K5jhgn
By: Carroll M1, Kinner SA, Heffernan EB.
- 1Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria.
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