AN ASSESSMENT OF HYGIENIC CONDITIONS IN THE TAMALE CENTRAL PRISON AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE HEALTH OF INMATES

Abstract

The study which is a descriptive cross-sectional survey was aimed at investigating the hygienic conditions in the Tamale central prison and its effects on the health of inmates. It employed a mixed method approach that is both qualitative and quantitative methods. Questionnaires and interview guides were the main tools for data collection. Purposive sampling was used in selecting the five prison officers who had a direct link with the inmates and the topic under investigation and the only prison health official for the interview and simple random sampling method was used to select 148 inmates from a population of 241. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22 for the quantitative data and content and thematic analysis for the qualitative data. The study found that although majority of the inmates always have access to water, over 90% of them have to queue for it. With regards to the management of wastes, although different types of waste are generated in the prison, there are no adequate waste bins for storage and segregation. Over 90% of the inmates never had access to both toilets and hand washing facilities when they need them. The study concluded that the hygienic conditions in the Tamale Central Prison are below standards since most inmates were dissatisfied with the water supply situation, waste management system and access to latrines and hand washing facilities. The study recommended the following: the provision of adequate water storage facilities, waste bins, health education on hygiene, cleanliness, recycling of plastic wastes and an alternative sentencing.