Hearing health of New South Wales prison inmates

Reimbursing incarcerated individuals for participation in research: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Little is known about global practices regarding the provision of reimbursement for the participation of people who are incarcerated in research. To determine current practices related to the reimbursement of incarcerated populations for research, we aimed to describe international variations in practice across countries and carceral environments to help inform the development of more consistent and equitable practices.

METHODS

We conducted a scoping review by searching PubMed, Cochrane library, Medline, and Embase, and conducted a grey literature search for English- and French-language articles published until September 30, 2022. All studies evaluating any carceral-based research were included if recruitment of incarcerated participants occurred inside any non-juvenile carceral setting; we excluded studies if recruitment occurred exclusively following release. Where studies failed to indicate the presence or absence of reimbursement, we assumed none was provided.

RESULTS

A total of 4,328 unique articles were identified, 2,765 were eligible for full text review, and 426 were included. Of these, 295 (69%) did not offer reimbursement to incarcerated individuals. A minority (n = 13; 4%) included reasons explaining the absence of reimbursement, primarily government-level policies (n = 7). Among the 131 (31%) studies that provided reimbursement, the most common form was monetary compensation (n = 122; 93%); five studies (4%) offered possible reduced sentencing. Reimbursement ranged between $3-610 USD in total and 14 studies (11%) explained the reason behind the reimbursements, primarily researchers' discretion (n = 9).

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of research conducted to date in carceral settings globally has not reimbursed incarcerated participants. Increased transparency regarding reimbursement (or lack thereof) is needed as part of all carceral research and advocacy efforts are required to change policies prohibiting reimbursement of incarcerated individuals. Future work is needed to co-create international standards for the equitable reimbursement of incarcerated populations in research, incorporating the voices of people with lived and living experience of incarceration.

Ear and hearing health in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15 years and older: A scoping review

OBJECTIVE

Review empirical research investigating the prevalence, experiences and management of hearing loss and ear disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults.

DESIGN

Scoping review.

STUDY SAMPLES

Searches of four electronic databases, Advanced Google, and key webpages identified 16,373 studies - 21 met inclusion criteria: original research relating to hearing/ear health and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies measured prevalence of hearing loss or middle-ear dysfunction, with a rate of hearing loss at an estimated 50% (reports ranging from 8% to 100%). Five studies reported views, attitudes, and experiences of hearing loss, with results showing hearing loss negatively impacted individual experiences in health and justice systems, and health professionals had limited understanding of the socioeconomic risk factors of middle ear disease. No articles directly reported on hearing loss management.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a lack of research into the hearing health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults, despite its critical importance in addressing health and social inequities. Given the widely varying and imprecise estimated rates of hearing loss detected, urgent action is needed to obtain accurate prevalence estimates and, in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, identify the best methods of screening and managing hearing loss.

One-fourth of the prisoners are underweight in Northern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Despite the fact that prisoners are exposed to different health problems, prison health problems are often overlooked by researchers and no previous study has investigated nutritional problems of prisoners in Ethiopia.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data were collected from 809 prisoners from nine major prison setups in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. A proportional stratified sampling technique was used to select the total number of participants needed from each prison site. The outcome of this study was underweight defined as body mass index (BMI) of less than 18.5 kg/m². Multivariable binary logistic regression was performed to identify determinants of underweight at a p-value of less than 0.05.

RESULTS

The prevalence of underweight was 25.2% (95% CI; 22.3%- 28.3%). Khat Chewing (OR = 2.08; 95% CI = 1.17, 3.70) and longer duration of incarceration (OR = 1.07; 95% CI = 1.01, 1.14) were associated with a significantly increased risk of underweight. Additionally, previous incarceration (OR = 1.54; 95% CI = 0.99, 2.42) was a relevant determinant of underweight with a borderline significance. In contrast, family support (OR = 0.61; 95% CI = 0.43, 0.85) and farmer occupation (OR = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.36, 0.98) compared to those who were unemployed were important protective determinants significantly associated with lower risk of underweight.

CONCLUSION

In summary, the burden of underweight was higher among prisoners in Tigray region who had respiratory tract infections. The study has enhanced our understanding of the determinants of underweight in the prison population. We strongly recommend that nutritional support, such as therapeutic feeding programs for severely or moderately underweight prisoners, and environmental health interventions of the prison setups should be urgently implemented to correct the uncovered nutritional problem and its associated factors for improving the health status of prisoners.

Hearing, Auditory Processing, and Language Skills of Male Youth Offenders and Remandees in Youth Justice Residences in New Zealand

PURPOSE

International evidence suggests youth offenders have greater difficulties with oral language than their nonoffending peers. This study examined the hearing, auditory processing, and language skills of male youth offenders and remandees (YORs) in New Zealand.

METHOD

Thirty-three male YORs, aged 14-17 years, were recruited from 2 youth justice residences, plus 39 similarly aged male students from local schools for comparison. Testing comprised tympanometry, self-reported hearing, pure-tone audiometry, 4 auditory processing tests, 2 standardized language tests, and a nonverbal intelligence test.

RESULTS

Twenty-one (64%) of the YORs were identified as language impaired (LI), compared with 4 (10%) of the controls. Performance on all language measures was significantly worse in the YOR group, as were their hearing thresholds. Nine (27%) of the YOR group versus 7 (18%) of the control group fulfilled criteria for auditory processing disorder. Only 1 YOR versus 5 controls had an auditory processing disorder without LI.

CONCLUSIONS

Language was an area of significant difficulty for YORs. Difficulties with auditory processing were more likely to be accompanied by LI in this group, compared with the controls. Provision of speech-language therapy services and awareness of auditory and language difficulties should be addressed in youth justice systems.

Health status of the prisoners in a central jail of South India

BACKGROUND

Health care in prisons is one of the neglected health areas in our country. Looking into the health problems of prisons will show us a way for the approach in providing the heath care for prisoners.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the health status of convicted inmates of prison and to study their sociodemographic profile.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among the inmates of central prison over a period of 1 year. Study population comprised of 300 convicted life-term prisoners. The inmates were interviewed using predesigned and pretested proforma. Sociodemographic data were analyzed by frequencies and percentages along with 95% confidence interval using statistical package SPSS18.

RESULTS

In health status, 29 (9.6%) inmates suffered from acute upper respiratory tract infections and 15 (5%) from acute lower respiratory tract infections. A total of 54 (18%) inmates had ascariasis. Diseases of musculoskeletal system and connective tissue contributed to 26 (8.7%) of inmates. A total of 252 (84%) prisoners had anemia. In sociodemographic profile, it was found that rural people, unmarried, illiterates, lower socioeconomic status people were more likely to have committed the crime resulting in the conviction for life.

CONCLUSIONS

As there is an increase in number of prisoners and morbidities among them, there is an urgent need for prison health care services in developing countries like India and provide training to the health care providers to manage the commonly existing health problems among prisoners in the prisons.

Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal health differentials in Australian prisoners

OBJECTIVE

Compare the self-reported physical and mental health of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal prisoners in New South Wales (NSW).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional random sample.

SETTING

Twenty-nine correctional centres (27 male and two female) in NSW.

PARTICIPANTS

747 men (227 Aboriginal) and 167 women (29 Aboriginal) in full-time custody.

METHODS

Face to-face interviews were used to record self-reported health status.

RESULTS

Aboriginal prisoners differed significantly from non-Aboriginal inmates in several socio-demographic and criminographic factors. However, few differences were observed in health status between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal men and women. After adjusting for age, Aboriginal men were more likely to report high blood pressure and diabetes. No differences were found in chronic health conditions in the female group. Aboriginal men had higher SF-36 scores than non-Aboriginal men on general health, vitality, and mental health. Aboriginal women had lower scores than non-Aboriginal women on social functioning and role-emotional but scored higher on the role-physical dimension. Aboriginal inmates were more likely to report seeing certain health professionals (doctors, dentists, drug and alcohol counsellors, and optometrists) in prison compared with the community.

CONCLUSIONS

The health of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal prisoners is remarkably similar in this population group. Few differences were observed in self-reported chronic health conditions. Aboriginal prisoners report using prison health services more while in prison compared with the community. This highlights that for many, prison is a rare opportunity to contact health services.