Assessment of alcohol problems using AUDIT in a prison setting: more than an 'aye or no' question.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Alcohol problems are a major UK and international public health issue. The prevalence of alcohol problems is markedly higher among prisoners than the general population. However, studies suggest alcohol problems among prisoners are under-detected, under-recorded and under-treated. Identifying offenders with alcohol problems is fundamental to providing high quality healthcare. This paper reports use of the AUDIT screening tool to assess alcohol problems among prisoners.

Methods

Universal screening was undertaken over ten weeks with all entrants to one male Scottish prison using the AUDIT standardised screening tool and supplementary contextual questions. The questionnaire was administered by trained prison officers during routine admission procedures. Overall 259 a

SUBMITTER: MacAskill S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3295750 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature