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. 2022 Nov 24;18(4):371-383.
doi: 10.1108/IJPH-05-2021-0039. Epub 2021 Nov 18.

Sexual and reproductive health of incarcerated women in French Guiana: a qualitative approach

Flore Deboscker  1 , Mathieu Nacher  2 , Antoine Adenis  2 , Florence Huber  3 , Aude Lucarelli  4 , Laura Asensio  5 , Marie Daniel  6 , Vanessa Schiemsky  6 , Timothee Bonifay  6
Affiliations

Sexual and reproductive health of incarcerated women in French Guiana: a qualitative approach

Flore Deboscker et al. Int J Prison Health. .

Abstract

Purpose: Incarcerated women are a vulnerable population in terms of sexual and reproductive health. In French Guiana, most incarcerated women come from unsafe environments and are incarcerated because of drug trafficking. Medical follow-up processes used in prison (medical assessment on arrival, and then two half-days per week upon request but without an obstetrician-gynecologist) does not allow for a thorough assessment of the impact of incarceration on women prisoners' health to take place. In the absence of data, the purpose of this study was to describe incarcerated women's experiences in relation to sexual and reproductive health.

Design/methodology/approach: Semi-structured interviews were conducted among French-speaking adult women who had been incarcerated for at least four months in a French Guianan prison. Menstruation, contraception, pregnancy, abortion, sexually transmitted infections and sexuality were described by means of interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Findings: A total of 14 women were interviewed. They suffered from menstrual cycle disorders, poor hygiene and menstrual insecurity. They appeared to have emotionally disinvested sexuality. However, intra-prison sexual activity existed for some (masturbation, conjugal prison visits, homosexual intercourse between fellow prisoners). Homosexual relations were a source of discrimination. Being pregnant while incarcerated was viewed negatively. A lack of knowledge about sexual and reproductive health and high-risk behaviors such as piercing and tattooing practices were widespread.

Originality/value: Incarceration is a vulnerable time for women's sexual and reproductive health. Sexual activity exposes women to risks and discrimination that should be taken into account in a multidisciplinary approach adapted to the prison environment.

Keywords: Health in prison; Health promotion; Jail; Prison; Qualitative research; Reproductive health; Sexual health; Women; Women prisoners; Women-s health.

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References

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Further reading

    1. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2010), “The BANGKOK RULES. United nations rules for the treatment of women prisoners and non-custodial measures for women offenders with their commentary”, UNDOC, Bangkok, Rapport no: A/C.3/65/L.5, p. 23.
    1. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Women’s Health in prison (2009), “Correcting gender inequity in prison health”, WHO Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen, Rapport no: EUR/08/5086974, p. 56.
    1. World Association for Sexual Health (2019), “Declaration on sexual pleasure”, Mexico City World Congress of Sexual Health-Declaration on Sexual Pleasure, Mexico, available at: https://worldsexualhealth.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2019_WAS_Declar...

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