Prisoners’ perceived oral and general health and their experience with accessing, understanding and assessing health information: A qualitative study

Abstract

Prisoners’ oral health and general health are closely connected and generally poorer than that of the wider population. Moreover, knowledge of prisoners’ health literacy is scarce. This study aimed to explore prisoners’ perceived oral and general health and how they accessed, understood and assessed health information to gain insight into their health literacy. Twelve prisoners in a high‐security prison and a halfway house participated in individual semi‐structured interviews. Data was analysed through thematic analysis, which identified five themes: inconsistent self‐reporting of general and oral health; autonomous health behaviour through utilizing personal resources; preference for personalized adapted health information; psychological and physical proximity; and barriers. The prisoners perceived their oral and general health as good despite several health problems. They expressed scepticism towards health information from public authorities and made their own health‐related choices based on previous experiences, their own ‘common sense’ and the experiences of people they trusted. Health information was considered useful when adjusted to their needs. Obtaining health‐related information through physical encounters was considered more accessible than through online platforms. Adapting the communication to prisoners’ expressed needs and their health literacy can enhance the accessibility to improve their oral and general health. In‐person encounters would be preferable.