A biopsychological health profile of incarcerated adults in Tunisia: Implications for primary healthcare physicians.
1
1- Department of Preventive and Community Medicine, University Hospital Tahar Sfar, Mahdia, Tunisia
2
2- Epidemiology Applied to Maternal and Child Health, Research laboratory 12SP17, Monastir, Tunisia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2753
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Incarceration and its underlying conditions expose individuals to discontinuity of care and unmet health needs. These experiences are strongly associated with mental health problems, sleep disorders, and health-risk behaviours. Despite these intersecting vulnerabilities, the incarcerated population remains underrepresented in the health literature. In this study, we aim to describe the biopsychological health characteristics of incarcerated adults in Tunisia and to identify health inequities in order to support the role of general practitioners in delivering primary care to this underserved population.
METHODS:
We have conducted two cross-sectional studies among adult male (April 2023) and female prisoners (July 2024). Participants in this research voluntarily completed an anonymous questionnaire covering different factors using Arabic validated versions of the Rosenberg self-esteem scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.
RESULTS:
A total of 568 prisoners answered our questionnaire. Among them, 403 were males, and 165 were females. In our sample, 53.5% of the research subjects were aged 30 and higher. The reported chronic conditions were diabetes (11.6%), hypertension (17.6%), coronary artery disease (7.0%), pulmonary disease (17.3%), liver disease (3.7%), kidney failure (9.0%), cancer (1.4%), immunodepression (15.7%), and HIV infection (2.3%). Additionally, 70.8% of the included inmates were smokers, 51.9% were alcohol consumers, 47.2% used other drugs, and 51.4% had sexual risk behaviors. Our results highlight that 37.9% of the sample had suicidal ideation, 44.7% were self-harming, 20.1% had low self-esteem and 84.5% suffer from sleep disturbance.
CONCLUSIONS:
Incarcerated adults in Tunisia experience overlapping biopsychological health vulnerabilities. Expanding routine screening for chronic and mental health conditions, ensuring continuity of care, and reinforcing mental health and psychosocial support are essential to leveraging primary healthcare.
Incarceration and its underlying conditions expose individuals to discontinuity of care and unmet health needs. These experiences are strongly associated with mental health problems, sleep disorders, and health-risk behaviours. Despite these intersecting vulnerabilities, the incarcerated population remains underrepresented in the health literature. In this study, we aim to describe the biopsychological health characteristics of incarcerated adults in Tunisia and to identify health inequities in order to support the role of general practitioners in delivering primary care to this underserved population.
METHODS:
We have conducted two cross-sectional studies among adult male (April 2023) and female prisoners (July 2024). Participants in this research voluntarily completed an anonymous questionnaire covering different factors using Arabic validated versions of the Rosenberg self-esteem scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.
RESULTS:
A total of 568 prisoners answered our questionnaire. Among them, 403 were males, and 165 were females. In our sample, 53.5% of the research subjects were aged 30 and higher. The reported chronic conditions were diabetes (11.6%), hypertension (17.6%), coronary artery disease (7.0%), pulmonary disease (17.3%), liver disease (3.7%), kidney failure (9.0%), cancer (1.4%), immunodepression (15.7%), and HIV infection (2.3%). Additionally, 70.8% of the included inmates were smokers, 51.9% were alcohol consumers, 47.2% used other drugs, and 51.4% had sexual risk behaviors. Our results highlight that 37.9% of the sample had suicidal ideation, 44.7% were self-harming, 20.1% had low self-esteem and 84.5% suffer from sleep disturbance.
CONCLUSIONS:
Incarcerated adults in Tunisia experience overlapping biopsychological health vulnerabilities. Expanding routine screening for chronic and mental health conditions, ensuring continuity of care, and reinforcing mental health and psychosocial support are essential to leveraging primary healthcare.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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