Cardiovascular risk factors in people deprived of their liberty: an integrative review

Physical Activity and Associated Factors among Brazilian Adult Inmates: A Cross-Sectional Study

Previous studies on health in prison facilities have determined that imprisonment has adverse effects on both physical and emotional well-being. Therefore, the introduction of public health measures is encouraged. This study aimed to (a) evaluate the levels of physical activity and the health condition of a sample of Brazilian prisoners and (b) determine the predictors of low physical activity. An observational and cross-sectional study was developed following the STROBE checklist. Data collection took place between June and November 2019 in a maximum-security Brazilian prison institution. This study's final sample included 220 people selected through convenience sampling, of which 115 (53.2%) were aged 18 to 29 years, followed by 79 (36.6%) aged 30 to 44 years and 22 (10.2%) aged 45 to 59 years old. Overall, 64.3% of participants failed to meet the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation for physical activity [at least 150-300 min of moderate-intensity or 75 min of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week]. The majority reported unhealthy food consumption (116; 53.7%). Regarding body mass index (BMI), 50.2% of individuals were classified as eutrophic, 38.1% were overweight and 11.6% were obese. Older age (AOR: 0.95; CI95%: 0.92-0.99; p = 0.01) and sitting time (AOR: 0.74; CI95%: 0.65-0.85; p < 0.01) were associated with low adherence to physical activity. Our results highlight the importance of practicing physical activity within the prison context and the need for institutional programs that promote regular physical activity.

Evidence of content validity of the nursing diagnosis risk for unstable blood pressure

PURPOSE

To analyze evidence of content validity of the nursing diagnosis (ND) Risk for Unstable Blood Pressure in incarcerated women.  METHOD: A methodological study assessing the content validity of an ND, was performed in Brazil, between June and September 2022, with 49 nurses as experts. The label, definition, and relevance of the 19 risk factors of the ND Risk for Unstable Blood Pressure were appraised. Based on the predictive diversity model, the content validity index (CVI) and respective 95% confidence intervals were calculated for each risk factor. A CVI ≥ 0.8 was considered adequate evidence of content validity.

FINDINGS

The label and the definition of the diagnosis was reformulated. The relevance of 19 etiological factors showed a CVI ≥ 0.8. According to the recommendation of the panel of experts, one of the etiological factors was split in two and two label of etiological factors were changed.

CONCLUSIONS

A new label (Risk for Imbalanced Blood Pressure), new definition, and 20 etiological factors (11 risk factors, five associated conditions, and four at-risk populations) of the ND Risk for Unstable Blood Pressure in incarcerated women were considered valid.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

NANDA-I accepted the proposal for this nursing diagnosis; hence this study contributed to updating the classification based on scientific evidence. This evidence will favor diagnostic reasoning and recognition of the diagnosis during clinical assessment, and support studies assessing the clinical validity of these elements in incarcerated women.

[Metabolic morbidity in the prison population of Catalonia, Spain]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of metabolic morbidity (MM) amongst prison inmates.

DESIGN

Multicentric, cross-sectional observational study.

SETTING

All (nine) prisons in Catalonia.

PARTICIPANTS

Convicted inmates that are not in an «open regime», whose healthcare relies on the Prison Primary Care Teams.

INTERVENTIONS

MM was defined as the presence of at least one component of the metabolic syndrome, i.e., obesity, arterial hypertension, type2 diabetes, and/or dyslipidemia. The variables collected included anthropometric measurements, medical history and laboratory values related to MM. The source of information was the Catalan Primary Healthcare Services Information System (SISAP).

MAIN MEASUREMENTS

The prevalence of MM, overall and by several participant subcategories, was calculated. To investigate the risk factors associated to a higher prevalence of MM, a multivariable logistic regression analysis was carried out and expressed as adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

4338 inmates were studied, of whom 93.9% were male. Mean age was 38.4years, 51.7% were born in European Union countries, and 6.7% were infected by HIV. The variables associated with a significantly increased risk of presenting MM were older age and HIV infection, whereas certain geographical origins (i.e., non-UE European countries, Maghreb and Sub-Saharan Africa) were associated with lower risk of MM.

CONCLUSIONS

In spite of being an overall young population, prison inmates present high rates of MM. Older age, HIV infection and geographic origin appear as the most strongly associated factors with MM in the prison population. MM should be detected early in order to prevent complications. Prevention, screening and treatment of MM ought to be considered a priority in the clinical routine of prison healthcare professionals.

High Failure Rates in Prisoners Undergoing Spine Fusion Surgery

OBJECTIVE

The medical literature on prisoner health care is limited, despite data showing that prisoners experience high rates of physical and mental health challenges. We compared clinical outcomes for prisoners undergoing spine fusion with comparable nonincarcerated patients and determined what factors were implicated in differences in outcomes.

METHODS

Prisoners who underwent spinal fusion in 2011-2021 were retrospectively compared with an age-, sex-, and procedure-matched 3:1 control group of nonincarcerated spinal fusion patients. Fusion failure was confirmed by lack of bridging bone between vertebrae on CT or radiographic images >1 year postoperatively or evidence of instrumentation failure with resultant >2 mm of translation on flexion/extension radiographs.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven identified prisoners were compared with 81 nonincarcerated controls. Ten prisoners and 6 controls experienced nonunion (37% vs. 7%, P < 0.01). Rates of risk factors for nonunion, such as smoking history, elevated body mass index, chronic steroid use, diabetes mellitus, previous spine surgery, and levels fused, were not significantly different between prisoners and controls. Among prisoners, those with nonunion were younger (45 vs. 53 years, P = 0.03), had greater body mass index (34 vs. 29, P = 0.02), and were more likely to undergo reoperation (30% vs. 0%, P = 0.02). Multivariate analysis revealed that prisoners carry a 9.62 increased odds of nonunion compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONS

This is one of few studies investigating health care outcomes in prisoners. We found they had a significantly higher rate of nonunion than matched control patients from the general population treated at the same hospital, suggesting additional measures may be necessary postoperatively to support fusion in prisoners.

Screening male prisoners for depression and anxiety with the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 at NHS Healthcheck: patterns of symptoms and caseness threshold

BACKGROUND

Screening for depression and anxiety disorders has been proposed in prison populations but little is known about caseness thresholds on commonly used self-report measures in relation to core symptoms, risk factors and symptom patterns.

METHOD

A cross-sectional prevalence survey measured depression and anxiety caseness (threshold scores > 10 and > 15 on PHQ-9 and GAD-7 and diagnostic algorithm on PHQ-9) in 1205 male prisoners aged 35-74 years eligible for an NHS Healthcheck from six English prisons. Caseness scores were compared with the presence or absence of daily core symptoms of depression and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), demographic, prison and cardiovascular risk factors. Cluster analysis was applied to PHQ-9 and GAD-7 items in prisoners scoring > 10 on PHQ-9.

RESULTS

453(37.6%) and 249(20.7%) prisoners scored > 10 and > 15 respectively on PHQ-9; 216 (17.9%) had a depressive episode on the PHQ-9 algorithm; 378(31.4%) and 217(18.0%) scored > 10 and > 15 on GAD-7 respectively. Daily core items for depression were scored in 232(56.2%) and 139(74.3%) prisoners reaching > 10 and > 15 respectively on PHQ-9; daily core anxiety items in 282(74.9%) and 179(96.3%) reaching > 10 and > 15 on GAD-7. Young age, prison and previous high alcohol intake were associated with > 15 on the PHQ-9. Cluster analysis showed a cluster with core symptoms of depression, slowness, restlessness, suicidality, poor concentration, irritability or fear. Altered appetite, poor sleep, lack of energy, guilt or worthlessness belonged to other clusters and may not be indicative of depression.

CONCLUSIONS

In male prisoners > 35 years, a score of > 10 on the PHQ-9 over diagnoses depressive episodes but a score of > 10 on the GAD-7 may detect cases of GAD more efficiently. Further research utilising standardised psychiatric interviews is required to determine whether the diagnostic algorithm, a higher cut-off on the PHQ-9 or the profile of symptoms on the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 used singly or in combination may be used to screen depressive episodes efficiently in prisoners.

At the heart of the matter: Cardiovascular health challenges among incarcerated women

Many factors appear to contribute to an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) among incarcerated women. Imprisonment is associated with a bodyweight gain and an increased prevalence of overweight and obesity. Inadequate physical activity and unhealthy nutrition further contribute to this positive energy balance. Classical CVD risk factors are common, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and smoking. Moreover, imprisonment is associated with an increased incidence of mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, with coping mechanisms, including substance abuse, being frequently adopted. Specific attitudes in the correctional environment, including hunger strikes, bullying, abuse and solitary confinement, are effectors of cardiovascular and mental ill-health. Furthermore, the plethora of psychological stressors induces an accelerated aging process, paired with CVD risk. Communicable diseases, mainly human immunodeficiency virus, opportunistic infections and inadequate sunlight exposure increase cardiovascular dysregulation. Health care needs associated with the female sex are not always met, adding to the frustration and compromised well-being. All these factors act independently and cumulatively, increasing CVD risk among incarcerated women.

Evaluations of Muscular Strength, Ability to Balance and Health Status in Prisoners during COVID-19

Recent events in prisons during the COVID-19 pandemic showed how the health situation and overcrowding in prisons are a source of high risk to the health and physical and mental well-being of the prison population and how this has become an important medical problem. The original purpose of this study, which was initially planned to last 6 months, was to examine the effects of a training program on cardio-respiratory capacity, resistance to dynamic strength of the upper and lower body and muscle mass. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the purpose was subsequently modified by highlighting whether and which deficiencies occurred as a result of the absence of physical activity. Forty adult men between 35 and 55 years of age with more than 1 year of detention were selected and randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group and control group. The fitness training protocol of the experimental group consisted of three weekly sessions lasting 90 min, while control group subjects followed a walk of 30-60 min three days a week without running or resistance training. The unpaired and paired t-tests revealed significant effects of both health status and fitness level (p < 0.05; p < 0.01) on group training. The results of this research show that prisoners can improve their fitness and health through participation in physical education programs. This conclusion is especially important for prisoners who have to serve very long prison sentences and who are at great risk of showing poor physical condition levels.

Risk for impaired cardiovascular function nursing diagnosis: Content analysis to evaluate women in jail

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the content of the diagnostic proposal, risk for impaired cardiovascular function, focusing on incarcerated women.

METHODS

A methodological study of nursing diagnosis content validation carried out from December/2018 to June/2019. A sample of 24 judges evaluated the proposed definition and the relevance of the proposed etiological factors of risk for impaired cardiovascular function. To determine the content validity of the etiological factors, the Content Validity Index was calculated and a value of 0.9 was adopted, in addition to the Wilcoxon test.

RESULTS

The diagnostic definition was considered consistent with the diagnostic label. All 18 etiological factors were validated with a Content Validity Index statistically >0.9 and categorized into risk factors, associated conditions, and at-risk populations.

CONCLUSION

The definition and 18 etiological factors of risk for impaired cardiovascular function were validated.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE NURSING PRACTICE

The study allowed the new proposal for the risk for impaired cardiovascular function nursing diagnosis to be accepted to return to the taxonomy of NANDA International with an expanded and more consistent structure. The return of the referred nursing diagnosis to the taxonomy favors the nurse's diagnostic reasoning and the documentation of all nursing actions, linked to this diagnosis, which are aimed at minimizing cardiovascular risk.