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Edwards LM, Chang S, Zeki R, Jamieson SK, Bowman J, Cooper C, Sullivan E. The associations between social determinants of health, mental health, substance-use and recidivism: a ten-year retrospective cohort analysis of women who completed the connections programme in Australia. Harm Reduct J 2024; 21:2. [PMID: 38172944 PMCID: PMC10765932 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00909-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women with substance-use issues are overrepresented in prison. Research on women's recidivism often focuses on offending behaviour rather than the health and social circumstances women are experiencing when reimprisonment occurs. This study examines the relationship between social determinants of health (SDOH), mental health, substance-use and recidivism among women exiting prison with histories of substance-use. METHODS A retrospective cohort study of women exiting prison who completed the transitional support programme "Connections" between 2008 and 2018. Recidivism was measured up to two years post-release. Women's support needs were measured at baseline (4 weeks pre-release) and follow-up (four weeks post-release). Ongoing needs in relation to well-established SDOH were calculated if: (1) at baseline women were identified as having a re-entry need with housing, employment, finances, education, domestic violence, child-custody and social support and (2) at follow-up women reported still needing help in that area. Women's self-reported substance-use and mental health since release were captured at follow-up. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all measures. Associations between SDOH, mental health, substance-use and recidivism were estimated by multiple logistic regression, adjusting for potential confounders. We also evaluated the mediating effects of mental health on the relationship between SDOH and substance-use. RESULTS Substance-use was associated with increased odds of recidivism (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-2.9; p = 0.02). Poor mental health (AOR 2.9, 95% CI 1.9-4.6; p = < 0.01), ongoing social support (AOR 3.0, 95% CI 1.9-5.0; p = < 0.01), child-custody (AOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.0-3.3 p = 0.04), financial (AOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3-3.2; p = < 0.01) and housing (AOR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-2.9; p = 0.02) needs were individually associated with increased odds of substance-use. Mediation analysis found mental health fully mediated the effects of ongoing housing (beta efficiency (b) = - 033, standard error (SE) 0.01; p = 0.05), financial (b = 0.15, SE 0.07; p = 0.05), child-custody (b = 0.18, SE 0.01; p = 0.05) and social support (b = 0.36, SE 0.1; p = 0.05) needs onto substance-use, and partially mediated the effects of domestic violence (b = 0.57, SE 0.23; p = 0.05) onto substance-use. CONCLUSION This study underscores the critical importance of addressing the interplay between SDOH, mental health, substance-use and recidivism. An approach that targets SDOH holds the potential for reducing mental distress and substance-use, and related recidivism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Reem Zeki
- Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Malabar, Australia
- University of Newcastle Australia, Newcastle, Australia
| | | | - Julia Bowman
- Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Malabar, Australia
| | - Craig Cooper
- Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Malabar, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Sullivan
- Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Malabar, Australia.
- University of Newcastle Australia, Newcastle, Australia.
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Sullivan E, Zeki R, Ward S, Sherwood J, Remond M, Chang S, Kypri K, Brown J. Effects of the Connections program on return-to-custody, mortality and treatment uptake among people with a history of opioid use: Retrospective cohort study in an Australian prison system. Addiction 2024; 119:169-179. [PMID: 37726971 PMCID: PMC10952213 DOI: 10.1111/add.16339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Connections is a voluntary health program that facilitates access to opioid agonist treatment (OAT) and social services for people with opioid use exiting prison. This study aimed to measure the effectiveness of Connections in reducing recidivism and improving health outcomes for people with a history of opioid use on leaving prison. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study with quasi-random allocation to the program. SETTING Public adult prisons in New South Wales, Australia, 2008-2015. PARTICIPANTS Adults released from custody with a history of opioid use. Of 5549 eligible releasees, 3973 were allocated to Connections and 1576 to treatment-as-usual. MEASUREMENTS Outcomes were return-to-custody, all-cause mortality, and OAT participation. FINDINGS Regression analyses on an intention-to-treat basis, and adjusting for baseline propensity scores, comparing patients allocated to Connections versus treatment-as-usual showed no difference in rates of return-to-custody within 2 years (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.92 -1.12). Patients allocated to the Connections program were more likely to access OAT (odds ratio [OR]: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.06-1.39) and had lower mortality within 28 days of release (0.25% vs. 0.66%; HR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.14-1.03). Differences in mortality did not persist beyond 28 days. Subgroup analyses showed that allocation to Connections was associated with higher risk of return-to-custody within 28 days for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) and female releasees. CONCLUSIONS The Connections program for people with opioid use exiting prison did not reduce the likelihood of return-to-custody but did facilitate opioid agonist treatment participation on release from prison.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Sullivan
- College of Health, Medicine and WellbeingUniversity of NewcastleCallaghanNSWAustralia
- Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health NetworkMalabarNSWAustralia
| | - Reem Zeki
- College of Health, Medicine and WellbeingUniversity of NewcastleCallaghanNSWAustralia
- Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health NetworkMalabarNSWAustralia
| | - Stephen Ward
- Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health NetworkMalabarNSWAustralia
| | | | - Marc Remond
- College of Health, Medicine and WellbeingUniversity of NewcastleCallaghanNSWAustralia
| | | | - Kypros Kypri
- College of Health, Medicine and WellbeingUniversity of NewcastleCallaghanNSWAustralia
| | - James Brown
- University of Technology SydneyUltimoNSWAustralia
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Majeed T, Breuer E, Edwards L, Remond M, Taylor J, Zeki R, Hampton S, Grant L, Sherwood J, Baldry E, Sullivan E. Developing best practice principles for the provision of programs and services to people transitioning from custody to the community: study protocol for a modified Delphi consensus exercise. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e067366. [PMID: 37270198 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-067366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is a lack of standard nomenclature and a limited understanding of programmes and services delivered to people in prisons as they transition into the community to support their integration and reduce reoffending related risk factors. The aim of this paper is to outline the protocol for a modified Delphi study designed to develop expert consensus on the nomenclature and best-practice principles of programmes and services for people transitioning from prison into the community. METHODS AND ANALYSIS An online, two-phase modified Delphi process will be conducted to develop an expert consensus on nomenclature and the best-practice principles for these programmes. In the preparatory phase, a questionnaire was developed comprising a list of potential best-practice statements identified from a systematic literature search. Subsequently, a heterogeneous sample of experts including service providers, Community and Justice Services, Not for Profits, First Nations stakeholders, those with lived experience, researchers and healthcare providers will participate in the consensus building phase (online survey rounds and online meeting) to achieve consensus on nomenclature and best-practice principles. Participants will indicate, via Likert scale, to what extent they agree with nomenclature and best-practice statements. If at least 80% of the experts agree to a term or statement (indicated via Likert scale), it will be included in a final list of nomenclature and best-practice statements. Statements will be excluded if 80% experts disagree. Nomenclature and statements not meeting positive or negative consensus will be explored in a facilitated online meeting. Approval from experts will be sought on the final list of nomenclature and best-practice statements. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval has been received from the Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network Human Research Ethics Committee, the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council Human Research Ethics Committee, the Corrective Services New South Wales Ethics Committee and the University of Newcastle Human Research Ethics Committee. The results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tazeen Majeed
- College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Erica Breuer
- College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Layla Edwards
- College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Marc Remond
- College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Jo Taylor
- College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Reem Zeki
- College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Matraville, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stephen Hampton
- Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Matraville, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Luke Grant
- Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Corrective Services NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Juanita Sherwood
- College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Eileen Baldry
- School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Sullivan
- College of Health Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Matraville, New South Wales, Australia
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Doyle MF, Al-Ansari F, Kaye S, Williams M, Conigrave K, Bowman J. Alcohol and other drug use before custody among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in New South Wales, Australia. Aust N Z J Public Health 2023; 47:100052. [PMID: 37172447 DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Alcohol and other drug (AoD) use is a significant factor in the poor health status of people in prison. Our aim is to explore associations of alcohol consumption with tobacco and illicit drug use among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in prison to inform health services, clinical care and support. METHODS We analysed the alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use data of the 2015 Network Patient Health Survey of adults in custody in New South Wales (n=1,132). A comparative analysis of Aboriginal to non-Aboriginal participants including bi-variant and multivariant analysis was undertaken. RESULTS Significantly more Aboriginal than non-Aboriginal participants reported alcohol consumption before prison that was consistent with possible dependence. More Aboriginal than non-Aboriginal participants used cannabis on a daily or almost on daily basis before prison. There was significant association between alcohol and cannabis use among Aboriginal participants. CONCLUSIONS There are differences in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal AoD use patterns, which should be considered when providing treatment and support programs within and post-release from prison. IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH Specific programs are needed to assist Aboriginal people in this population who co-use alcohol and cannabis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Doyle
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Indigenous Health and Alcohol, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia.
| | - Farah Al-Ansari
- Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Sharlene Kaye
- Research Unit, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Matraville, NSW, 2036, Australia
| | - Megan Williams
- Girra Maa Indigenous Health Discipline, School of Public Health, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Katherine Conigrave
- NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Indigenous Health and Alcohol, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia; Drug Health Services, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia; Edith Collins Centre (Translational Research in Alcohol Drugs and Toxicology), Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Julia Bowman
- Research Unit, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Matraville, NSW, 2036, Australia
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Chaillon A, Bharat C, Stone J, Jones N, Degenhardt L, Larney S, Farrell M, Vickerman P, Hickman M, Martin NK, Bórquez A. Modeling the population-level impact of opioid agonist treatment on mortality among people accessing treatment between 2001 and 2020 in New South Wales, Australia. Addiction 2022; 117:1338-1352. [PMID: 34729841 PMCID: PMC9299987 DOI: 10.1111/add.15736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The individual-level effectiveness of opioid agonist treatment (OAT) in reducing mortality is well established, but there is less evidence on population-level benefits. We use modeling informed with linked data from the OAT program in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, to estimate the impact of OAT provision in the community and prisons on mortality and the impact of eliminating excess mortality during OAT initiation/discontinuation. DESIGN Dynamic modeling. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS A cohort of 49 359 individuals who ever received OAT in NSW from 2001 to 2018. MEASUREMENTS Receipt of OAT was represented through five stages: (i) first month on OAT, (ii) short (1-9 months) and (iii) longer (9+ months) duration on OAT, (iv) first month following OAT discontinuation and (v) rest of time following OAT discontinuation. Incarceration was represented as four strata: (i) never or not incarcerated in the past year, (ii) currently incarcerated, (iii) released from prison within the past month and (iv) released from prison 1-12 months ago. The model incorporated elevated mortality post-release from prison and OAT impact on reducing mortality and incarceration. FINDINGS Among the cohort, mortality was 0.9 per 100 person-years, OAT coverage and retention remained high (> 50%, 1.74 years/episode). During 2001-20, we estimate that OAT provision reduced overdose and other cause mortality among the cohort by 52.8% [95% credible interval (CrI) = 49.4-56.9%] and 26.6% (95% CrI =22.1-30.5%), respectively. We estimate 1.2 deaths averted and 9.7 life-years gained per 100 person-years on OAT. Prison OAT with post-release OAT-linkage accounted for 12.4% (95% CrI = 11.5-13.5%) of all deaths averted by the OAT program, primarily through preventing deaths in the first month post-release. Preventing elevated mortality during OAT initiation and discontinuation could have averted up to 1.4% (95% CrI = 0.8-2.0%) and 3.0% (95% CrI = 2.1-5.3%) of deaths, respectively. CONCLUSION The community and prison opioid agonist treatment program in New South Wales, Australia appears to have substantially reduced population-level overdose and all-cause mortality in the past 20 years, partially due to high retention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Chaillon
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Chrianna Bharat
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Jack Stone
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Nicola Jones
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Louisa Degenhardt
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Sarah Larney
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) and Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Michael Farrell
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Natasha K Martin
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.,Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Annick Bórquez
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.,National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia
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6
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Harvey TD, Busch SH, Lin HJ, Aminawung JA, Puglisi L, Shavit S, Wang EA. Cost savings of a primary care program for individuals recently released from prison: a propensity-matched study. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:585. [PMID: 35501855 PMCID: PMC9059905 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-07985-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Criminal justice system costs in the United States have exponentially increased over the last decades, and providing health care to individuals released from incarceration is costly. To better understand how to manage costs to state budgets for those who have been incarcerated, we aimed to assess state-level costs of an enhanced primary care program, Transitions Clinic Network (TCN), for chronically-ill and older individuals recently released from prison. Methods We linked administrative data from Connecticut Department of Correction, Medicaid, and Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to identify a propensity matched comparison group and estimate costs of a primary care program serving chronically-ill and older individuals released from incarceration between 2013 and 2016. We matched 94 people released from incarceration who received care at a TCN program to 94 people released from incarceration who did not receive care at TCN program on numerous characteristics. People eligible for TCN program participation were released from incarceration within the prior 6 months and had a chronic health condition or were over the age of 50. We estimated 1) costs associated with the TCN program and 2) costs accrued by Medicaid and the criminal justice system. We evaluated associations between program participation and Medicaid and criminal justice system costs over a 12-month period using bivariate analyses with nonparametric bootstrapping method. Results The 12-month TCN program operating cost was estimated at $54,394 ($146 per participant per month). Average monthly Medicaid costs per participant were not statistically different between the TCN ($1737 ± $3449) and comparison ($1356 ± $2530) groups. Average monthly criminal justice system costs per participant were significantly lower among TCN group ($733 ± $1130) compared with the matched group ($1276 ± $1738, p < 0.05). We estimate every dollar invested in the TCN program yielded a 12-month return of $2.55 to the state. Conclusions Medicaid investments in an enhanced primary care program for individuals returning from incarceration are cost neutral and positively impact state budgets by reducing criminal justice system costs. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-022-07985-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler D Harvey
- SEICHE Center for Health and Justice, Yale School of Medicine, 300 George Street, Suite G05, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
| | - Susan H Busch
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Hsiu-Ju Lin
- School of Social Work, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.,Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, CT, Hartford, USA
| | | | - Lisa Puglisi
- SEICHE Center for Health and Justice, Yale School of Medicine, 300 George Street, Suite G05, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Shira Shavit
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Emily A Wang
- SEICHE Center for Health and Justice, Yale School of Medicine, 300 George Street, Suite G05, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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Edwards L, Jamieson SK, Bowman J, Chang S, Newton J, Sullivan E. A systematic review of post-release programs for women exiting prison with substance-use disorders: assessing current programs and weighing the evidence. HEALTH & JUSTICE 2022; 10:1. [PMID: 34978645 PMCID: PMC8725487 DOI: 10.1186/s40352-021-00162-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The rising rates of women in prison is a serious public health issue. Unlike men, women in prison are characterised by significant histories of trauma, poor mental health, and high rates of substance use disorders (SUDs). Recidivism rates of women have also increased exponentially in the last decade, with substance related offences being the most imprisoned offence worldwide. There is a lack of evidence of the effectiveness of post-release programs for women. The aim of this systematic review is to synthesise and evaluate the evidence on post-release programs for women exiting prison with SUDs. METHODS We searched eight scientific databases for empirical original research published in English with no date limitation. Studies with an objective to reduce recidivism for adult women (⩾18 years) with a SUD were included. Study quality was assessed using the revised Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for randomized trials (RoB2) and the Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies - of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tools. RESULTS Of the 1493 articles, twelve (n = 3799 women) met the inclusion criteria. Recidivism was significantly reduced in five (42%) programs and substance-use was significantly reduced in one (8.3%) program. Common attributes among programs that reduced recidivism were: transitional, gender-responsive programs; provision of individualised support; providing substance-related therapy, mental health and trauma treatment services. Methodological and reporting biases were common, which impacted our ability to synthesize results further. Recidivism was inconsistently measured across studies further impacting the ability to compare results across studies. CONCLUSIONS Recidivism is a problematic measure of program efficacy because it is inconsistently measured and deficit-focused, unrecognising of women's gains in the post-release period despite lack of tailored programs and significant health and social disadvantages. The current evidence suggests that women benefit from continuity of care from prison to the community, which incorporated gender-responsive programming and individualised case management that targeted co-morbid mental health and SUDs. Future program design should incorporate these attributes of successful programs identified in this review to better address the unique challenges that women with SUDs face when they transition back into the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layla Edwards
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Sacha Kendall Jamieson
- Sydney School of Education and Social Work, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
- School of Public Health, Australian Centre for Public and Population Health Research, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Julia Bowman
- Research Operations Manager, Research Unit, Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Malabar, NSW, 2036, Australia
- Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
- School of Public Health, Australian Centre for Public and Population Health Research, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Sungwon Chang
- Centre for Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation (IMPACCT), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Josie Newton
- College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Sullivan
- Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia.
- Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia.
- Custodial Health Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Malabar, NSW, 2036, Australia.
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Hariri S, Sharafi H, Sheikh M, Merat S, Hashemi F, Azimian F, Tamadoni B, Ramazani R, Gouya MM, Abbasi B, Tashakorian M, Alasvand R, Alavian SM, Poustchi H, Malekzadeh R. Continuum of hepatitis C care cascade in prison and following release in the direct-acting antivirals era. Harm Reduct J 2020; 17:80. [PMID: 33081794 PMCID: PMC7576794 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-020-00431-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND People with criminal justice involvement contribute remarkably to the rising hepatitis C virus (HCV) burden; however, the continuum of care is a major barrier to prison-based programs. We aimed to evaluate a comprehensive HCV care model in an Iranian provincial prison. METHODS Between 2017-2018, in the Karaj Central Prison, newly admitted male inmates received HCV antibody testing and venipuncture for RNA testing (antibody-positive only). Participants with positive RNA underwent direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy (Sofosbuvir/Daclatasvir). Sustained virological response was evaluated at 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR12). RESULTS Overall, from 3485 participants, 182 (5.2%) and 117 (3.4%) tested positive for HCV antibody and RNA, respectively. Among 116 patients who were eligible for treatment, 24% (n = 28) were released before treatment and 72% (n = 83) initiated DAA therapy, of whom 81% (n = 67/83) completed treatment in prison, and the rest were released. Of total released patients, 68% (n = 30/44) were linked to care in community, and 70% (n = 21/30) completed treatment, including 60% (n = 12/20) and 90% (n = 9/10) among those who were released before and during treatment, respectively. The overall HCV treatment uptake and completion were 89% (n = 103/116) and 85% (n = 88/103), respectively. From people who completed treatment, 43% (n = 38/88) attended for response assessment and all were cured (SVR12 = 100%). CONCLUSIONS Integrated HCV care models are highly effective and can be significantly strengthened by post-release interventions. The close collaboration of community and prison healthcare systems is crucial to promote high levels of treatment adherence. Future studies should investigate the predictors of engagement with HCV care following release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanam Hariri
- Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Disease Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, N. Kargar St., 14117, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Mahdi Sheikh
- Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Disease Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, N. Kargar St., 14117, Tehran, Iran
- Section of Genetics, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - Shahin Merat
- Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Disease Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, N. Kargar St., 14117, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farnaz Hashemi
- Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Disease Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, N. Kargar St., 14117, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Azimian
- Centre for Communicable Diseases Control, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
| | - Babak Tamadoni
- Health and Treatment Directorate of Prisons and Security and Corrective Measures Organization, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rashid Ramazani
- Centre for Communicable Diseases Control, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mehdi Gouya
- Centre for Communicable Diseases Control, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behzad Abbasi
- Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Disease Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, N. Kargar St., 14117, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrzad Tashakorian
- Health and Treatment Directorate of Prisons and Security and Corrective Measures Organization, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ramin Alasvand
- Health and Treatment Directorate of Prisons and Security and Corrective Measures Organization, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Hossein Poustchi
- Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Disease Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, N. Kargar St., 14117, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Reza Malekzadeh
- Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Disease Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, N. Kargar St., 14117, Tehran, Iran
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