Understanding and supporting the health literacy of young men in prison

A mixed-methods study

Bibliographic Data

ID21601024
AuthorsAnita Mehay (0000-0001-7329-9056, University College London), Rosie Meek (0000-0002-2705-1516, Royal Holloway University of London), Jane Ogden (0000-0003-4271-5621, University of Surrey)
Year2021
Volume121
Issue1
Pages93-110
Publication date2021-01-08
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0965-4283 • E-ISSN: 1758-714X
PublisherEmerald (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1108/he-08-2020-0076
OpenAlexW3120078890
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited26

Purpose Prisons offer a public health opportunity to access a group with multiple and complex needs and return them to the community with improved health. However, prisons are not conducive to optimal health and there are few frameworks to guide efforts. This study aims to generate insights into health literacy across a young adult prison population, specifically examining the level of limitations, barriers and characteristics associated with these limitations. Design/methodology/approach The study took place in a single prison in England for young adult men aged 18–21 years old. A mixed-methods design was adopted with 104 young men completing a quantitative survey and qualitative semi-structured interviews with 37 young men. Findings 72% ( n = 75) of young men scored as limited in their health literacy. Barriers included structural restrictions, limited access to formal support and social and natural disruptions. No demographic characteristics or smoking intentions/behaviours predicted limited health literacy, but characteristics of the prison were predictive. Physical problems (sleep, nausea, tiredness and headaches), mental health and well-being (anxiety, depression and affect) and somatisation problems were also predictive of limitations. Practical implications Prison healthcare services and commissioners should undertake regular health literacy needs assessments to support developments in reducing barriers to healthcare and increasing health improvement efforts. Action also requires greater political will and investment to consider broader action on the wider determinants of (prison) health. Originality/value The study provides a framework to understand and guide prison health efforts and highlights attention needed at the level of governments, prison leaders and their health systems

Criminology · Health care · Health literacy · Literacy · Mental health · Political science · Prison · Psychiatry · Public health · Emergency and Acute Care Studies · Homelessness and Social Issues · Medicine · Migration, Health and Trauma · Nursing · Psychology · Gerontology

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