Imprisoned women: relationship between self-rated health and discriminatory experiences

Abstract

This study aimed to verify the correlation between self-rated health status and discriminatory treatment received by inmates in a prison unit. This is an epidemiological, cross-sectional, observational study. An inquiry was carried out with 99 female prisoners in a prison unit in the city of Juiz de Fora–MG from September 2019 to February 2020. Data collection took place through face-to-face interviews, using a semi-structured questionnaire. The data were processed using the software Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 15.0 and submitted to descriptive analysis and calculation of Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Significant results (p<0.05) were found in the analysis of the correlation between worse self-assessment of health status and discriminatory experiences by other inmates related to social condition and physical appearance by other inmates. Considering the robustness of self-assessment as an indicator of health and quality of life, we can infer that the experience of discriminatory experiences has a negative impact on the health status of women deprived of liberty. The findings of this study show the need to understand the health dynamics of this group from the perspective of the expanded concept of health, as well as the urgency of effective public policies that guarantee comprehensive care.