RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Chronic health conditions reported by male inmates newly admitted to Canadian federal penitentiaries
JF CMAJ Open
FD Canadian Medical Association
SP E97
OP E102
DO 10.9778/cmajo.20140025
VO 3
IS 1
A1 Lynn A. Stewart
A1 Amanda Nolan
A1 Jeremy Sapers
A1 Jenelle Power
A1 Linda Panaro
A1 Jonathan Smith
YR 2015
UL http://www.cmajopen.ca/content/3/1/E97.abstract
AB Background International health studies have shown that inmates have higher rates of infectious diseases, chronic diseases and psychiatric disorders relative to the general population. We conducted a systematic collection of data on chronic physical health conditions reported by newly admitted inmates in Canadian federal penitentiaries. Methods Over a 6-month period from April to September 2012, we collected and analyzed data from a standardized health interview routinely conducted with consenting incoming male inmates (n = 2273). Prevalence rates of health conditions were determined and disaggregated by age (< 50 yr and ≥ 50 yr) and by Aboriginal status. Results The most common health conditions reported by respondents were head injury (34.1%), back pain (19.3%), asthma (14.7%) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (9.4%). Rates of many health conditions were higher among inmates 50 years of age or older than among younger inmates. Compared with their non-Aboriginal counterparts, Aboriginal inmates had higher rates of head injury and HCV infection. Interpretation Our study provides a benchmark that can be used to examine health trends within Canada’s federal penitentiaries over time and points to subgroups of newly admitted inmates for whom health services may need to be concentrated.