15 The physical and psychological health of women prisoners – a cross sectional study

Abstract EP1.5, e-Poster Terminal 1, September 5, 2025, 13:05 - 13:40 Background Good Health is the fundamental right of every human being. Prison is harmful place that deprives individuals of basic human rights and needs and give physical, mental and social trauma. Health related issues of women in Prisons in India are generally ignored. Neither their health problem(s) nor quality of treatment provided to incarcerated women have been considered important. Therefore, this study was an attempt to determine the physical and psychological health related trauma of this strata of society. Methodology The present study was conducted in Central jail of Ludhiana, Punjab, India. A total of 150 women inmates were interviewed by convenience sampling. The data pertaining to Socio-demographic and general profile, Physical and Psychological health assessment were collected. A written permission was obtained from Prison authority of State. IEC approval was taken. The data collected was analyzed by SPSS 22.0. Results Of 150 women prisoners, 83(55.3%) were in the age of 21-40 years, 82(54.7%) illiterate, 112(74.7%) not working before imprisonment and 78(52.0%) married. 100(66.7%) of subjects committed personal type of crime and 30(20.0%) organized crime. 110(73.3%) had imprisonment first time. 50(33.3%) and 27(18.0%) had 1-5 years of imprisonment. 97(64.7%) reported no assault whereas 52(34.6%) and 01(0.71%) had emotional and physical assault, respectively. It was seen that 108(72.0%) subjects were suffering from one or the other physical health problem(s). 55(36.7%) women inmates had musculoskeletal problem, 47(31.3%) cardiovascular; 37(24.7%) ophthalmic; 24(16.0%) gastrointestinal and 19(12.7%) genitourinary problems. Majority of women inmates (89.8%) were not able to maintain and manage their mensural health and hygiene properly. The anxiety assessment showed that 47(31.0%) had mild anxiety; 15(10.0%) moderate and 06(4.0%) severe level of anxiety. The depression assessment showed that 38(25.3%) subjects had mild; 37(24.7%) moderate and 16(10.7%) severe depression. Conclusion Women jail inmates had both Physical and Psychological trauma and their health was not satisfactory.