Prevalence of head injury and associated disability in prison populations: a systematic review

Moynan, C. R. and McMillan, T. M. (2018) Prevalence of head injury and associated disability in prison populations: a systematic review. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 33(4), pp. 275-282. (doi: 10.1097/HTR.0000000000000354) (PMID:29084104)

Abstract

Objective: This review systematically assesses literature on the prevalence of head injury (HI) and associated disability in adults in prison. Methods: Searches were carried out using electronic databases (PsycINFO, Cochrane Databases, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science). Reference lists of 2 meta-analyses were checked for relevant articles. Methods were rated for risk of bias. Results: The 10 studies included report a range in prevalence of HI in prisoners from 25% to 86%. Risk of bias was high overall, probably because a range of HI definitions was used, assessments were often not validated, and samples were not or not evidenced to be representative of the prison population. There was an absence of appropriate population controls from which to compare relative risk of HI in different countries. No study reported the prevalence of disability associated with HI. Conclusion: The wide range in prevalence estimates of HI in prisoners is associated with high risk of bias from study design and methods. Persisting disability associated with HI was not reported and as a result the service need for prisoners with HI is unclear. Future studies should indicate that samples are representative of prison populations, use validated tools and internationally accepted definitions of HI, and link prevalence to persisting disability.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: McMillan, Professor Tom
• Authors: Moynan, C. R., and McMillan, T. M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Journal Name: Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation
• Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
• ISSN: 0885-9701
• ISSN (Online): 1550-509X
• Published Online: 27 October 2017
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.
• First Published: First published in Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation 33(4):275-282
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher