Impact of Health Promotion Programs on Incarcerated Individuals in Northern Mexico

Individuals deprived of liberty exhibit high health vulnerability due to limited access to medical services and insufficient health promotion efforts. Implementing education and self-care programs constitutes an essential strategy to improve their wellbeing. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in clinical parameters following the implementation of health promotion programs among incarcerated individuals.

A prospective pre-post intervention study was conducted between February 2023 and July 2024 at the Male Social Reintegration Center No. 1 in Aquiles Serdán, Chihuahua, Mexico. Fifteen male inmates with type 2 diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension participated in a structured health promotion program that included educational workshops on nutrition, physical activity, and chronic disease self-management. Anthropometric and biochemical data were collected before and after the intervention. Statistical analysis included paired Student's t-test and McNemar's test (P < 0.05).

Significant reductions were observed in blood glucose (174.1 ± 123.2 vs. 111.1 ± 57.4 mg/dL; P = 0.0017), systolic blood pressure (140.7 ± 18.3 vs. 117.3 ± 9.6 mmHg; P < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (92.0 ± 10.8 vs. 84.0 ± 7.4 mmHg; P = 0.0013), and waist circumference (83.6 ± 37.6 vs. 80.3 ± 35.7 cm; P = 0.0005), with a favorable trend in body mass index (P = 0.065).

Health promotion programs had a positive impact on the control of chronic diseases among the incarcerated population studied. These findings highlight the need to strengthen sustainable interdisciplinary strategies that uphold the right to health in prison settings.