Abstract:
Background: Antisocial personality disorder is an emerging health and behavioral problems
worldwide. Antisocial personality disorder is linked to violence, crime, substance use, and
recidivism but little is known about antisocial personality disorder among prisoners in Ethiopia.
Objective: To assess the prevalence and associated factors of antisocial personality disorder
among newly admitted prisoners in Bench Maji zone correctional center, Mizan Aman, Ethiopia.
Methods and materials: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 20
to July 19, 2019 among newly admitted Bench Maji zone correction center prisoners by using
face to face interview. Participants were selected using consecutive sampling technique and data
was collected from 411 prisoners by using pretested, semi-structured, interviewer administered
questionnaire with standardized psychopathic checklist revised for outcome variable, Moreover,
a semi structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data on socio
demographic, substance, environmental, criminal and clinical history. The data was entered into
Epi-data 3.1 and exported to SPSS Version 21 for statistical analysis. Logistic regression model
was used. P-value < 0.25 at bivariate analysis was considered as candidate for multivariable
logistic regression. Then, a variable with p-value less than 0.05 at 95% CI on multivariable
logistic regression was declared as independent predictor of antisocial personality disorder
Result; in this study the prevalence of antisocial personality disorder was 41.6%. Reconviction
[AOR: 2, 95% CI: (1.1-3.8)], risky alcohol use [AOR: 4.6, 95% CI: (2.4-8.7)], childhood
maltreatment [AOR): 6, 95% C: (2.2-17.5), poor social support [AOR: 3.5,95% CI: (1.9-6.6)],
family history of imprisonment [AOR: 3, 95% CI: 1.5-6.0)] and traumatic life event [AOR: 2.3,
95% CI: (1.1-4.8)]were independently associated variables with antisocial personality disorder.
Conclusions and recommendation; antisocial personality disorder is highly prevalent among
newly admitted bench maji zone correction center prisoners. Being risky alcohol user, having
childhood maltreatment, reconviction, poor social support, family history of prison and having
traumatic life event were independently associated with antisocial personality disorder. To solve
these problems, holistic and integrated efforts including prison administration, Mizan Tepi
University, family members and the surrounding community are needed to be involved.
