Abstract:
Background: Accessibility of quality healthcare across the globe has generated a lot of attention
among public health practitioners. Aim: This study explored the background characteristics of
female prisoners and how it influences their assessment of the quality of accessible healthcare
in the Kumasi Female Prison. Subjects and Methods: This descriptive cross‑sectional survey
was conducted at the Female section of the Kumasi Central Prisons from June to December
2011. We used pretested questionnaires to obtain quantitative data from all 39 inmates of
the female Prisons. An in‑depth interview was used to obtain qualitative data from the prison
healthcare giver. Data were analyzed with Epi Info Version 3.5.1, (Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention), Excel, and Graph Pad Prism version 5.00 for Windows (Graph Pad software,
San Diego California USA, www.graphpad.com). Results: Using a 12‑point scale inventory
questionnaire, inmates with no formal education gave the highest mean health provision
assessment score (6.0) whereas those with tertiary education gave the lowest (4.5). Females
serving prison sentences gave the highest mean health assessment score whereas remand
prisoners gave the lowest. Single females’ mean health assessment score was 5.7 whereas that
of married inmates was 4.9. Unemployed inmates scored 5.8, informal 5.4 while civil servants
scored 5.0. Conclusion: Access to quality healthcare was poor and demographic characteristics,
marital status, educational background, and occupation influenced inmates’ perceptions of
accessibility to quality healthcare. Inmates should be encouraged to be proactive in seeking
healthcare irrespective of their background characteristics.
