Access to health care among female prisoners in a penitentiary in Ceará, Brazil

• Published in: Ciência & saude coletiva Vol. 29; no. 6; p. e09172023
• Main Authors: Campelo, Isabella Lima Barbosa, Bezerra, Antônio Diego Costa, Guimarães, José Maria Ximenes, Morais, Ana Patrícia Pereira, Albuquerque, Grayce Alencar, Ferreira, Regina Glaucia Lucena Aguiar, Vieira-Meyer, Anya Pimentel Gomes Fernandes
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Brazil Associacao Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao em Saude Coletiva - ABRASCO 01.06.2024
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Brazil - epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Services Accessibility - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Mass Screening; Mental Disorders - epidemiology; Middle Aged; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications - epidemiology; Prisoners - statistics & numerical data; Prisons - statistics & numerical data; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult; Brazil; Brasil
• ISSN: 1413-8123; 1678-4561
• DOI: 10.1590/1413-81232024296.09172023EN

This study investigated access to health care among female prisoners in the state of Ceará, Brazil, and screened for common mental disorders. We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study in the only female prison in the state. Ninety detainees participated in the study. All participants were either pregnant or postpartum women or had one or more of the following health problems: hypertension, diabetes mellitus, tuberculosis, syphilis, hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The findings reveal that access to health care was limited, violating the fundamental rights of the prisoners. Screening for diseases on admission to prison was limited, especially among non-pregnant women. Differences in health care were found between health conditions, with priority being given to pregnant and postpartum women. Most of the inmates (68.24%) were found to be at risk for common mental disorders (SRQ score > 7). A positive correlation was found between age and mental health problems (p = 0.0002). Despite legislation guaranteeing access to health care in prisons, the prison system is unprepared to meet the health needs of female prisoners with comorbidities and pregnant and puerperal women.