Antisocial personality disorder and associated factors among incarcerated in prison in Dessie city correctional center, Dessie, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) describes individuals who engage in repetitive aggressiveness, deceitfulness, impulsivity, and unlawful behavior. It has a broad impact on families, relationships, and social functioning, and also people with ASPD make heavy demands on the judicial system, social and mental health services. Even though ASPD is a common problem among incarcerated in prisons, it is not well studied in developing countries including Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of ASPD among incarcerated in prison in Dessie city correctional center.

Method: A cross-sectional study design was conducted among 320 incarcerated in prison at Dessie correctional center, Ethiopia. The study subjects were selected by using a simple random sampling technique and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5th text revision (DSM-5) was used to measure ASPD using face-to-face interviews. Social support was assessed using the Oslo social support scale (Oslo-3). The collected data were checked for completeness and entered into Epi-data Version 3.1 and then exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were done to identify factors related to antisocial personality disorder. In multivariable logistic regression variables with a p-value, less than 0.05 were considered significant and, adjusted OR (AOR) with 95% CI was used to present the strength of the association.

Results: The current study showed that the prevalence of ASPD was found to be 30.6% (95% CI:25.6,35.9). In a multivariable analysis, being single [AOR = 2.33; 95%CI (1.39,3.89)], monthly income of 1000-2000 ETB (Ethiopian Birr) [AOR = 2.12; 95%CI (1.163,3.45)], reconviction [AOR = 2.37; 95%CI (1.08,5.19)], and alcohol use [AOR = 2.00; 95% CI (1.16,3.45)] were discovered to be predictors of antisocial personality disorder.

Conclusion: This study revealed that nearly one-third of incarcerated in prison were found to have an anti-social personality disorder. Being single, 1000-2000 ETB income, reconviction, and alcohol users were variables that are independent predictors of ASPD. A screening and intervention program is required and further research should be needed.