Drug use and related precautions prior to imprisonment, inside prison and intentions after release among Greek inmates

Abstract

The prevalence of drug use, the related precautions prior to, during incarceration and after release, and their social cognitive predictors were examined in a sample of Greek prison inmates (IDUs). Results showed that inside prison, IDUs tended to inject less, but share more. Use of new syringes was the precaution of preference prior to incarceration and intended to be also after release. During imprisonment, most IDUs reported use of sterilised works and reduction in sharing as precautions. Behavioural Intention (BI) × Perceived Behavioural Control (PBC), Health Value (HV) × Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) interactions and susceptibility to AIDS were the most significant predictors of IDUs’ reported injection inside. BI × PBC and past behaviour predicted the reported cessation of sharing inside. Susceptibility, HV, Internal Health Locus of Control (IHLC), total time in prison and past behaviour were the most significant predictors of inmates’ reported intention to use new syringes when released. Results are discussed, in relation to theoretical requirements, similar patterns of drug-use behaviour inside prison, identified in previous Greek and international research and on implications on health policy for Greek inmates (injectors).

• Greek inmates
• injecting
• sharing
• social cognition models