Sexual and reproductive health of incarcerated women in French Guiana: a qualitative approach

Abstract

Purpose Incarcerated women are a vulnerable population in terms of sexual and reproductive health. In French Guiana, most incarcerated women come from unsafe environments and are incarcerated because of drug trafficking. Medical follow-up processes used in prison (medical assessment on arrival, and then two half-days per week upon request but without an obstetrician-gynecologist) does not allow for a thorough assessment of the impact of incarceration on women prisoners’ health to take place. In the absence of data, the purpose of this study was to describe incarcerated women’s experiences in relation to sexual and reproductive health. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted among French-speaking adult women who had been incarcerated for at least four months in a French Guianan prison. Menstruation, contraception, pregnancy, abortion, sexually transmitted infections and sexuality were described by means of interpretative phenomenological analysis. Findings A total of 14 women were interviewed. They suffered from menstrual cycle disorders, poor hygiene and menstrual insecurity. They appeared to have emotionally disinvested sexuality. However, intra-prison sexual activity existed for some (masturbation, conjugal prison visits, homosexual intercourse between fellow prisoners). Homosexual relations were a source of discrimination. Being pregnant while incarcerated was viewed negatively. A lack of knowledge about sexual and reproductive health and high-risk behaviors such as piercing and tattooing practices were widespread. Originality/value Incarceration is a vulnerable time for women’s sexual and reproductive health. Sexual activity exposes women to risks and discrimination that should be taken into account in a multidisciplinary approach adapted to the prison environment.

Abortion and contraception for incarcerated people: A scoping review

“…See Table 1 below. The settings included 35 studies set in the US [ 4 , 12 – 45 ]; three in Brazil [ 46 – 48 ], two in Canada [ 2 , 5 ], one in the US and Mexico [ 49 ]; one in French Guiana [ 50 ]; and one in Uganda [ 51 ].…”

“…In 34 studies, the population was currently incarcerated [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 12 – 31 , 33 , 35 , 41 , 43 , 44 , 45 – 48 , 50 ]. Two studies included formerly incarcerated people [ 32 , 34 ]; four studies included prison staff [ 37 – 40 ]; one included people under community supervision [ 49 ]; and one included people involved in the criminal legal system broadly defined [ 36 ].…”

“…Additionally, Erickson et al, (2017) [ 51 ] focused on sex workers; we included this study because 27% of respondents reported being formerly incarcerated, and sex work is criminalized in Uganda, the site of the study. All 43 included studies focused on women and/or girls: 34 focused solely on women [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 12 – 18 , 22 , 24 – 27 , 29 , 31 – 33 , 36 , 41 , 43 , 44 , 45 – 48 , 50 ]; and six on adolescent girls [ 19 – 21 , 28 , 30 , 34 ]. No studies specified if trans or nonbinary people were included.…”

“…Knowledge was not associated with incarceration [ 36 ]. Similarly, Deboscker et al (2021) interviewed 14 incarcerated women and reported that while participants saw the potential value of contraception to manage challenges with menstruation as well as to avoid pregnancy while in prison, they had a lack of knowledge about sexual and reproductive health [ 50 ].…”