Detainee frequently chronically ill and affected by substance abuse
Detainees in police custody present chronic illness one and a half time as often compared to the general population, as published by scientists from GGD-Amsterdam and NIVEL in the Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine.
In the Netherlands annually about 40,000 people spend a length of time in a police cell or in prison. Worldwide this population amounts to ten million. Detainees present more often chronic lung disease, joint complaints, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease compared to the general population. These findings are consistent with earlier research in prisons showing that prisoners present a higher risk for these illnesses. Compared to the population visiting the Dutch general practice, detainees in police custody more often need consultation for HIV-related problems.
Immediately to the hospital
Forensic physicians providing health care to patients in police custody observe a different pattern of somatic problems compared to general practitioners (GPs) in the general population. Most care is provided for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, asthma, wounds, pain and pregnancy. In addition they attend detainees with serious health problems in need of urgent specialist care. One in a hundred consultations in these detainees resulted in immediate referral to a hospital. Chronic diseases prevail more often in detainees compared to the general population. About 15% of them was admitted in a hospital during the past year.
Lack of primary care
Detainees in police custody not only differ in quantity and type of diseases from the general population, but also in use of health care. During the year preceding detainment detainees less frequently consulted their GP; 28% is even not registered at a GP’s list. While GPs may play a vital role in prevention, treatment of chronic diseases and referral to specialist care.
Malnourished
The study covers somatic health of detainees. The health of 3,232 detainees is compared to patients in general practice by use of the Netherlands Information Network of General Practice (LINH). In addition 264 detainees in police custody in Amsterdam were interviewed. The detainees approved to be merely young low educated men, frequently unemployed, single and of non-Western ethnic origin. Frequently they are malnourished, smoker and affected by drug or alcohol abuse. A British study in detainees in London shows a comparable figure.
LINH
The Netherlands Information Network of General Practice (LINH) uses routine medical data from electronic medical records of participating GPs. LINH collects data continuously about diseases, number of consultations, interventions, prescriptions and referrals.
Cooperating partners
GGD-Amsterdam
LHV, NHG, IQ healthcare
Contact persons GGD-Amsterdam Manon Ceelen, Tina Dorn