Cross-Sectional Association between Length of Incarceration and Selected Risk Factors for Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases in Two Male Prisons of Mexico City

Abstract

BackgroundMexico City prisons are characterized by overcrowded facilities and poor living conditions for housed prisoners. Chronic disease profile is characterized by low prevalence of self reported hypertension (2.5%) and diabetes (1.8%) compared to general population; 9.5% of male inmates were obese. There is limited evidence regarding on the exposure to prison environment over prisoner’s health status; particularly, on cardiovascular disease risk factors. The objective of this study is to assess the relationship between length of incarceration and selected risk factors for non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs).Methods and FindingsWe performed a cross-sectional analysis using data from two large male prisons in Mexico City (n = 14,086). Using quantile regression models we assessed the relationship between length of incarceration and selected risk factors for NCDs; stratified analysis by age at admission to prison was performed. We found a significant negative trend in BMI and WC across incarceration length quintiles. BP had a significant positive trend with a percentage change increase around 5% mmHg. The greatest increase in systolic blood pressure was observed in the older age at admission group.ConclusionsThis analysis provides insight into the relationship between length of incarceration and four selected risk factors for NCDs; screening for high blood pressure should be guarantee in order to identify at risk individuals and linked to the prison’s health facility. It is important to assess prison environment features to approach potential risk for developing NCDs in this context.

Prevalence of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases among prisoners: a systematic review

“…Three studies reported length of stay to be significantly associated with weight change, but two found that drastic positive changes occur within the first few weeks of incarceration (Clarke and Waring, 2012;Gates andBradford, 2015, Silverman-Retana et al, 2015). Silverman-Retana et al (2015) however observed a U-shaped association between length of stay and BMI change and positive weight change being more prevalent among older inmates. Leigey and Johnston (2015) found longer length of stay to be associated with healthy weight, but one study found that longer stay, greater than one year was associated with higher risk of obesity, seven times higher compared to those who have stayed for shorter periods (AOR 6.92; 95 per cent CI, p < 0.001) (Haysom et al, 2013).…”

Prevalence of Diabetes and Associated Risk Factors among a Group of Prisoners in the Yaoundé Central Prison

“…Evidence from western countries shows that noncommunicable disease (NCD) is a public health problem in prison [34,35,[41][42][43][44][45]. Recent studies in Africa showed an increased prevalence of NCD among prisoners [44,45].…”

Risco para doenças cardiovasculares em mulheres detentas

“…As desigualdades sociais, a diferença no acesso aos bens e aos serviços, a baixa escolaridade e a desigualdade no acesso à informação determinam, de modo geral, maior prevalência das doenças crônicas e dos agravos decorrentes da evolução dessas doenças (30) . Estudos mostram um aumento na obesidade e nos fatores de risco cardiovascular nas detentas, sugerindo que o encarceramento contribui para o desenvolvimento de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis (31)(32)(33)(34) . Além disso, as detentas têm maior probabilidade de desenvolver sobrepeso e obesidade do que mulheres da população geral e do que os detentos.…”

“…Observou-se, entre as detentas, um consumo baixo de legumes e frutas, menor do que o obsevado na população brasileira em geral. Outros estudos relataram resultados semelhantes (21,32) . Destaca-se que a fonte de alimentos das mulheres detentas avaliadas no presente estudo consistia na dieta ofertada pela instituição penitênciária e por alimentos trazidos por parentes durante as visitas.…”