Reproductive health seeking behaviors among female inmates in the correctional institution in Metro Manila

• Main Author: Alicarte, Ramona Faye G.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2018
• Subjects: Women prisoners—Health and hygiene—Philippines; Reproductive health—Philippines; Medicine and Health
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/6716
• Institution: De La Salle University

There are about 15,000 female inmates detained in Philippine city jails and correctional institution. Aside from the increase in population, morbidity and mortality rates among female inmates also increased, some of which are caused by problems and illnesses of their reproductive health. However, given these reproductive health outcomes, the female inmates’ health seeking behaviors are considered to be poor. The aim of this study is to describe the level of reproductive health seeking behaviors among female inmates in the Correctional Institution for Women in Metro Manila as well as to determine its factors and its implication to their reproductive health outcomes. This qualitative – descriptive study utilized a total of 100 female inmates who were interviewed and surveyed from three different security compounds. Various statistical methods were used to describe variables and determine its associations. Findings of the study revealed that majority of the female inmates have low level (67%) of sexuality expression, have moderate level (93%) of reproductive health conditions, have moderate to high level (39% to 47%) of knowledge on RH risks, with low level of social support from external sources, and varying levels of social support from internal sources. Their level of utilization of healthcare services is low to moderate (38% to 47%) while their self-care practices (66%) and participation to health programs (68%) are high. Generally, the female inmates have a moderate level (73%) of reproductive health outcomes. Three statistically significant associations were found: between level of knowledge on RH risks and utilization of healthcare services, between level of social support and utilization of healthcare services, and between utilization of healthcare services and level of reproductive health outcomes. Findings have implications for the female inmates’ reproductive health in prisons, as their utilization of healthcare services is found to determine better reproductive health outcomes.