The health of women deprived of their liberty: an analysis of their main needs and the limitations of health providers

Abstract

The access to health care is considered a fundamental human right, as stated in the Nation Constitutional Chart, and specific public policies are needed to assure that minorities can full exercise this right.  Objective: To describe the health conditions of women deprived of liberty, as well as the main challenges faced by the health team, and prison unit directors, in order to promote the physical, mental and social wellbeing of the women. Material and methods: A descriptive, exploratory with a qualitative approach study was performed during January 2019, that included forty women deprived of liberty, four members of the health staff team and one penitentiary director. Results: 90 % of participants were from the state o São Paulo, did not completed primary school, though 80% express the intention to continue studying, are single (65%), and the mean age of this population was 36,7 years.