Introduction: There are few studies comparing drug use behaviours between the local and immigrant prison populations. Method: Descriptive and prospective study. Comparisons were made between the Spanish and foreign population of prisoners who entered prison for the first time between 01/01/2005 and 31/12/2005. Socio-demographic descriptive variables were attained along with data about drug use in the month prior to entry into prison. X² was used to compare qualitative variables and Student's t distribution for quantitative ones. Posterior binary logistic regression was used for calculating the Odds Ration for statistically significant variables. Results: 246 individuals were included, 230 (93.5%) were men. 89 (36%) were Spanish and 157 (64%) foreigners. The average age was 31.9 (IC95%: 30.6-33.1). The average age was higher amongst Spanish inmates (33.9 vs. 30.7; p=0.023). Spanish inmates smoked less (79, 40.9%) than foreigners (114, 59.1%) p=0.003 and consumed less alcohol (51, 42.5% vs. 69, 57.5%), p=0.044. The use of heroin, cocaine, designer drugs and non-prescribed benzodiazepines, individually or in combinations, was admitted to by 68 individuals, 44 (64.7%) of whom were Spanish, and 24 (35.3%) were foreigners (OR: 5.4, IC95%: 2.9-9.9, p>0.0001). The only consumption type where no significant difference between the two groups could be seen was in "designer drug" use: 5 (5.6%) vs. 2 (1.3%). (OR: 4.6, IC95%: 0.8-24.3, p=0.07). IVD use was rare and more common amongst Spanish inmates: 3 (3.4%) vs. 0 (0%) (p=0.02). Conclusions: Foreigners make up the majority of the recent intake into prison. Spanish prisoners are older. Spanish inmates consume more illegal drugs, while foreign prisoners consume more socially accepted drugs.
Fundamento: Hay pocos trabajos que comparen las pautas de consumo de drogas entre población autóctona e inmigrante en medio penitenciario. Método: Estudio descriptivo prospectivo. Se compara población española e inmigrantes que ingresan por primera vez en prisión entre 01-01-2005 y 31-12-2005. Se recogen variables descriptoras sociodemográficas y de hábitos tóxicos durante el último mes previo a su entrada en prisión. Se utiliza la X² para comparar variables cualitativas y la T de Student para las cuantitativas, con posterior regresión logística binaria para calcular Odds Ratio en las que resultaron estadísticamente significativas. Resultados: 246 incluidos, 230 (93,5%) hombres. 89 (36%) españoles y 157 (64%) inmigrantes. Edad media 31,9 años (IC95%: 30,6-33,1), mayor en los españoles (33,9 vs 30,7; p=0,023). Fuman menos los españoles (79, 40,9%) que los extranjeros (114, 59,1%) p=0,003 y beben menos alcohol (51, 42,5% vs 69, 57,5%), p=0,044. El consumo de heroína, cocaína, cánnabis, drogas de síntesis y benzodiacepinas no prescritas, por separado o en combinación, era admitido por 68 individuos, 44 (64,7%) españoles y 24 (35,3%) extranjeros (OR: 5,4 ; IC95%: 2,9-9,9 ; p<0,0001). La única que no muestra diferencias en el consumo entre los dos colectivos son las drogas de síntesis: 5 (5,6%) vs 2 (1,3%). (OR: 4,6; IC95%: 0,8-24,3; p=0,07). La vía venosa era poco utilizada y más por los españoles: 3 (3,4%) vs 0 (0%) (p=0,02). Conclusiones: Los nuevos ingresos en prisiones son mayoritariamente extranjeros. Los españoles tienen más edad. Los españoles consumen más drogas ilegales, mientras que los extranjeros consumen más drogas de aceptación social.