Reproductive Health Problems and Health Care Services Offered to Female Inmates of Women Jail Multan

Abstract

Background: Women prisoners’ health is one of the major challenges among public health issues since the increasing incarceration rate has a direct impact on prisoners’ health status. Female prisoners often face many health issues in which most important are reproductive health problems. The prison services regarding reproductive health needs of female inmates vary in every jail. Unfortunately, in many prisons, health care services for women are still not adequate. Objectives: The objectives of the study are to determine the frequency of reproductive health problems of female inmates and to assess the health care services offered to female inmates of Women Jail Multan. Method: It was cross-sectional descriptive study in which 118 female inmates of reproductive age group were included. Data was collected through questionnaire which was entered in to computer using SPSS 20.0. Frequencies and percentages were calculated and data was presented in tables. Means, Standard Deviations and Correlation were calculated. ANOVA was applied to test significance and Chi-square test was applied. Level of significance was kept at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Among 118 female inmates, 33.9% were 31-40 years old, 87.3% were married and 78.0% were illiterate. The length of incarceration of 42.4% female inmates was upto 12 months. 35.0% had 1-2 children and 16.5% were living in jail with their children. Majority (92.4%) had gynecological problem and 82.2% had medical problems while 11.0% had experienced sexual violence by jail staff. Only 2 females were pregnant. 100.0% female inmates had availability of lady doctor or LHV for antenatal check-up.100.0% female inmates were provided proper diet and food supplements and the quality of food was satisfactory. Conclusion: Study revealed that health care services for reproductive problems including obstetric and gynecological issues was satisfactory however prevalence of gynecological issues was high. Sexual violence of female inmates faced by jail staff during imprisonment was noticed for which strict legislative measures should be taken.