Psychotic symptoms and its association with substance use disorders among adult prisoners in correctional institution: a facility based cross-sectional study in Southwest Ethiopia

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of psychotic symptoms among prisoners is increasing rapidly throughout the world. It imposes considerable personal and public health burden. In recent years psychotic symptoms among prisoners has been widely emphasized and the current study aimed to assess psychotic symptoms and its association with substance use disorders among adult prisoners in correctional institution in Southwest Ethiopia. METHOD: Facility based cross-sectional study design was conducted in Jimma Correctional Institution among 336 prisoners selected by systematic random sampling method in June 2017. Data was collected by face to face interview using structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Multivariable logistic regression was computed to identify independent associated factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of psychotic symptoms among prisoners was found to be 43%. Poor social support (AOR: 4.12, 95%CI: 1.39–12.66), alcohol use disorder (AOR: 4.03, 95%CI: 1.58–10.27), stressful life events (AOR: 2.19, 95%CI: 1.14–4.21), and common mental disorders (AOR: 5.53, 95%CI: 2.56–11.91) were independently associated with single psychotic symptom. CONCLUSION: This study showed high prevalence of psychotic symptoms. Psychotic symptoms were significantly associated with poor social support, alcohol use disorder, stressful life events and common mental disorders. It is essential to have screening mechanism and management practice for psychotic symptoms.