A Study of Tobacco, Alcohol and Drug Use among Irish Female Prisoners

The female prisoner population are a very specific group with very different needs to that of the general population. The study sets out to profile these women and to examine their use of tobacco, alcohol and other substances. A census sample of female prisoners was frequency matched for age with male prisoners and also the female general population. Response rate was 74.6%. Results illustrated that female prisoners are, in the majority from a lower social group, from deprived backgrounds and from families where unemployment is high and education is low. Female prisoners smoke more, take more drugs (including heroin and injection drugs) and drink considerably more when compared to the above groups. They have more alcohol related difficulties as a result of another persons drinking, illustrating high rates of verbal, physical and sexual assault. The prison setting may be the first and possibly the only opportunity for health education and promotion for this particular group. Therefore, with such high reported levels of smoking, alcohol and other substance use, the prison provides a good setting for health promotion interventions.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

Obesity in an ageing society implications for health, physical function and health service utilisation.

Key Findings • Based on body mass index (BMI) measurements, 36% of Irish over 50s are obese and a further 43% are overweight. • Based on waist circumference measurements, 52% of Irish over 50s are ‘centrally obese’, i.e., with a ‘substantially increased’ waist circumference, while a further 25% have an ‘increased’ waist circumference. • Using BMI as an indicator of obesity, a higher proportion of men (38%) are obese than women (33%); however, using waist circumference as an indicator of obesity, a higher proportion of women (56%) have a ‘substantially increased’ waist circumference than men (48%). • The prevalence of obesity in Irish men over 50 is comparable with US men over 50 (while English rates are much lower).     .This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.