Impacto da saúde bucal na qualidade de vida de mulheres encarceradas: um estudo transversal

Abstract

Background: Historically, the Brazilian prison system has faced significant challenges, including overcrowding, lack of resources, and unsanitary conditions. These factors directly affect the health of inmates, including their oral health, which reflects broader health and human rights conditions in this environment. Aim: To evaluate the association of sociodemographic variables, alcohol and other drug use, and access to dental treatment with the social impact of oral health on the quality of life of incarcerated Brazilian women. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with women from a state prison unit in Brazil. Data was collected on sociodemographic characteristics, access to dental treatment, and alcohol and drug use, along with the completion of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire. The questionnaire responses were dichotomized into low or high impact of oral health on the quality of life of incarcerated women. Fisher’s exact test and the Contingency Coefficient were used to verify the association between the perceived impact of oral health and the independent variables, with the data analyzed using statistical tests in the Jamovi software. Results: Previous access to dental treatment showed no statistically significant association with the level of impact of oral health on quality of life. A high impact of oral health conditions on quality of life was observed among incarcerated women who smoke and do not use cocaine. The use of anxiolytics was associated with a lower impact of oral health on quality of life. Conclusion: Despite greater access to dental care and the relatively low impact of oral health on the quality of life of incarcerated women, factors such as low education levels and socioeconomic vulnerability highlight the need for structural strategies and specific public policies to ensure equity in access to oral health care within the prison system.