Roses behind bars: exploring the reproductive health of person deprived of liberty/

Maranan, Francine M.

Roses behind bars: exploring the reproductive health of person deprived of liberty/ Francince M. Maranan, Girlie T. Nadura, Mary Rose G. Orongan, Miguel E. Pagcanlungan, & Richard M. Villabrosa Jr. -- Parañaque City: Olivarez College, 2024.

Undergraduate thesis.

The health and well-being of incarcerated individuals, particularly women, were deemed crucial topics that warranted thorough investigation, given the disparities in accessing reproductive healthcare services despite constitutional rights. A study conducted at the Bureau of Jails and Penology (BJMP) aimed meticulously assess reproductive healthcare needs, services, and disparities among incarcerated women, with a specific focus on routine screenings, menstruation-related concerns, prenatal and postpartum care, contraception, and Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). To achieve this, qualitative interviews were carried out with thirty (30) incarcerated women aged 18-45, who were either undergoing court trial or awaiting final judgement for at least 4 months. Following a thorough screening process, ten respondents were selected for in-depth interviews. This comprehensive study spanned over a period of three months, allowing for a detailed exploration of the effectiveness of BJMP programs in addressing both mental and reproductive healthcare needs. The findings from these interviews revealed several recurring themes that shed light on the challenges faced by incarcerated women. These included the detrimental impact of stress on menstrual health, insufficient Reproductive Health (RH) education, the restrictive nature of policies affecting reproductive rights, limited access to menstrual hygiene products, dissatisfaction with visitation policies, and inadequate healthcare services, coupled with difficulties in obtaining necessary medical assistance. In light of these findings, the discussion underscored the urgent need for addressing these disparities through a multifaceted approach. This approach includes advocating for policy reforms aimed at improving access to healthcare services, implementing comprehensive RH education programs within correctional facilities, and ensuring equitable distribution of menstrual hygiene products. Furthermore, nursing interventions were identified, encompassing educational programs, advocacy efforts to enhance access to hygiene products and visitation, collaborative initiatives with healthcare providers, and the implementation of streamlined procedures to facilitate access to necessary medical assistance. By addressing these challenges in a holistic manner, it is believed that the well-being and dignity of incarcerated women can be significantly enhanced, thereby contributing to the promotion of health equity within correctional facilities.


access to healthcare services.
disparities.
incarcerated women.
menstrual hygiene.
nursing interventions.
policy reforms.
reproductive healthcare.

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