A Digital Health-Ready Screening Approach for Correctional Health Systems: Integrating the 9-THAI Tool with Prison...

Correctional health systems face structural constraints that limit timely and systematic health assessment. While screening tools such as the 9-THAI have been widely used in community settings, their integration into digital health systems in correctional environments remains underexplored. This study evaluates the feasibility of implementing a digital-ready screening approach using the 9-THAI tool facilitated by Prison Health Volunteers (PHVs) in Thai correctional institutions, with a focus on system integration and scalability. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 441 incarcerated individuals using the 9-THAI instrument administered with PHV support. Feasibility indicators included acceptability, completion rate, data quality, and workflow integration. Results showed high completion rates, minimal missing data, and consistent data capture across facilities. High-risk alcohol use was significantly associated with poorer health perception (OR = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.06-2.75). The PHV-assisted model demonstrated operational feasibility and strong potential for integration into digital health information systems. This approach supports scalable, low-cost, and data-driven correctional health surveillance aligned with WHO digital health strategies.