A retrospective study to find the prevalence of HIV, HCV and dual HIV-HCV infection in the prison inmates

An exploration of nursing students' lived experience of clinical placement in adult male prisons: A phenomenological study

AIM

To explore nursing students' lived experience of a clinical placement within healthcare in a prison, to gain an insight into the support provided prior to and during this unique clinical placement.

DESIGN

An inductive phenomenological study.

METHODS

Participants included 14 nursing students from three undergraduate nursing programmes in England, Adult (n = 4), Learning Disability (n = 3) and Mental Health (n = 7). Following a clinical placement in a prison, each participant completed a semistructured audio-recorded interview on MS Teams between October and December 2021. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was completed.

RESULTS

Two overarching themes were identified, 'shock' due to the (a) reality of prison; (b) overwhelming emotional impact and (c) frequency and severity of self-harm and 'surprise' due to (a) the need to work with prison officers; (b) recognizing and addressing preconceptions of people in prison and (c) the development of clinical knowledge, skills and becoming a nurse.

CONCLUSIONS

The need remains for a comprehensive strategy of preparation and orientation for nursing students before commencing a clinical placement in prison, which includes the development of knowledge and clinical skills to support the complex health and social care needs of people in prison.

IMPACT

Our research identified the support provided to nursing students prior to clinical placement in prison varies considerably. The development of a preparation and orientation programme has the potential to reduce pre-placement anxiety, emotional burden and support nursing students in addressing their preconceptions of people in prison. This approach is essential to support future nursing students to embrace the unique opportunity of a clinical placement within a prison, enhance their clinical knowledge and skills, and develop as a nurse.

REPORTING METHOD

Our paper adheres to the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ).

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS STUDY

None.

Detection of sexually transmitted infections among transvestites and transsexual women in prison in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the seropositivity rate of rapid tests for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B and C among transvestites and transgender women (transfeminine persons) inmates in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, analyzing the results based on sociodemographic, prison profile and access to health technologies to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

METHODS

Cross-sectional census-type study carried out with transfeminine in eleven male prisons in Rio de Janeiro, between the months of April and June 2021.

RESULTS

The detection rates found were 34.4% for HIV, and 48.9% for syphilis, and 0.8% for type B and C hepatitis. Seropositivity for more than one infection was verified in 25.4% of participants, and HIV/syphilis was the most prevalent. An increase in the level of education (p=0.037) and having a steady partner in prison (p=0.041) were considered protective factors for STIs in this population. Difficulties were identified in accessing STI prevention technologies, such as male condoms, lubricating gel, rapid tests, and prophylactic antiretroviral therapies for HIV.

CONCLUSION

HIV and syphilis seropositivity rates were high, but within the profile found in this population in other studies inside or outside prisons. The data found indicates the need to incorporate effective strategies for access to health technologies for the prevention of STIs. The scarcity of scientific publications containing epidemiological data on STIs in the transfeminine prison population limited deeper comparisons of the results obtained in this study.