Tracking of Health Problems in Women Deprived of Liberty in Northern Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: The prison situation in Brazil is worrying because it presents problems related to overcrowding, lack of physical structure and health care, poor hygiene conditions, unhealthy conditions, aspects related to violence and intolerance to homosexuality. These causes end up contributing to favor the spread of infectious and contagious diseases, as well as intensifying chronic pathologies, resulting in a public health problem. Objective: Track the main health problems that women deprived of liberty have in the prison system in northern Brazil. Method: A total of 38 women were included in this cross-sectional study. They were deprived of liberty at the Women's Reeducation Center in Maraba, state of Pará, Brazil. The study took place between October 2020 and July 2021. The participants were 18 years of age or older, female, who spontaneously sought the screening service. A questionnaire composed of two domains was used: the first with questions related to age, ethnicity, marital status, education; the second refers to the identification of health problems identified in individuals. Results: The pathologies were identified and separated according to the corresponding system of the human body. A quantity of 25 health problems was found. There were no reports of serious cases. Conclusion: It was found that these individuals are more likely to contract diseases and for these reasons, it is important that there are measures to ensure that these locations have adequate hygiene conditions to improve and prevent the spread of these diseases in the penitentiary system.