Impact of social determinants on incarceration and women’s mental health in Brazil
Abstract The health status of prison population in Brazil is worrying. Prisons in the country are often overcrowded and host a large proportion of population with pre-existing health problems, that may be aggravated in prison. The conditions of confinement are decisive for the health-disease process and the relationship between problems and health needs of the population. The current increase of the number of prison population contribute to increase the risk of infectious diseases and worsen the general health conditions of those incarcerated. Mental health disorders are highly prevalent in the prison population globally, including: personality disorders, such as antisocial personality disorder, major depression, and psychotic illnesses, neurodevelopmental disorders, and intellectual disability (ID). Self-harm and suicide attempts are also overrepresented in the prison population. The prison conditions may worsen the pre-existing mental health problems of those incarcerated. Compared to men, women in prison are particularly vulnerable to mental health disorders, because of several factors including the women's social role and peculiar social stressors affecting women's condition. The social determinants such as: employment, housing and education status; poverty, social exclusion and discrimination; gender-based violence, stigma and adverse life events are particularly affecting the mental health of women incarcerated prior to prison, often worsening when they enter prison. Mental health of women in prison in Brazil represents a public health and security problem. Based on research data the presentation will discuss the status of mental health of women in prison in Brazil.