Open AccessPrevalence of hypertension and associated factors in female prison correctional officers in a national sample in Brazil
Author(s) -
Silva Ana Zaira,
Mota Rosa Maria Salani,
Macena Raimunda Hermelinda Maia,
Pires Neto Roberto,
Ferreira Marcelo José Monteiro,
Araújo Priscila França,
Moreira Thereza Maria Magalhães,
Seal David W.,
Kendall Carl,
Kerr Ligia Regina Franco Sansigolo
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of occupational health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 1348-9585
DOI - 10.1002/1348-9585.12163
Subject(s) - prison , medicine , odds ratio , waist , population , confidence interval , blood pressure , cross sectional study , demography , obesity , gerontology , environmental health , psychology , criminology , pathology , sociology
Objectives To estimate hypertension prevalence and associated factors among female correctional officers (FCO) in female Brazilian prisons. Methods Cross‐sectional, analytical study conducted in 15 female prisons in all five Brazilian regions between January 2014 and December 2015. The study population consisted of correctional officers with at least 6 months in the position. The sampling included 40% of FCO present in the prison during data collection, yielding 295 FCOs. Data were collected via Audio Computer‐Assisted Self‐Interview . A physical examination of participants was conducted including blood pressure, weight, and waist and hip circumference. The Odds Ratio and confidence intervals for independent factors were estimated. Results Hypertension prevalence in correctional officers was 37.9%, (95% CI 32.1‐44.0). Hypertension was associated with obesity (95% CI = 1.884‐9.947), cardiovascular disease (95% CI = 3.348‐16.724), and participation in the specific training course for the relevant position (95% CI = 1.413‐9.564). Conclusions While findings, except for the last factor, are not novel, this is the first such study conducted in Brazil. Hypertension prevalence among this pool of all female correctional officers is higher than in the average population, and FCOs associate this with the prison environment. Current training does not appear to address this problem. Especially since prison populations are growing in Brazil, this problem needs to be addressed for the health of the FCOs and the prisoners in their care.