Management of institutionalized adults in the prison system. Impact on oral health and quality of life

Abstract

Objective: To describe the management of institutionalized adults through oral health and the impact on representative domains of quality of life. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in a prison facility in the province of Buenos Aires (N = 1296). A convenience sample (n = 155) was selected with the permission of senior management staff and the consent of the inmates. Observation was undertaken by a single observer. Variables such as age, length of stay, work experience, type of offense and educational attainment were considered. The educational attainment variable was assigned a numerical value. Observable endogenous variables (oral health and impact on perceived oral health) were estimated by DMFT and OHIP-14. Data were transcribed using a Likert-type scale. Frequency distribution, arithmetic mean and standard deviation were calculated. Kruskal–Wallis and chi-squared tests, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were used. Results: The age of institutionalized individuals was 45.90 (10.39) years old. The length of stay was 12.87 (9.83) years, rho years served-age = 0.21. The relationship between work history and educational attainment resulted in a chi² value = 19.94, P = 0.011, and between work history and type of offense, chi² = 2.98, P = 0.811. DMFT values were 15.11 (4.42), rho DMFT-age = 0.098. The M component represented 45.89% and the D component, 41.67%. OHIP-14 values were 21.43 (2.79). Conclusions: The values of the variables described a management determining vulnerability conditions with an impact on the quality of life.