Abstract
Objective: To evaluate health data of women in prison in Teresina, Piauí. Methods: Quantitative, descriptive, exploratory and cross-sectional study with women in a closed prison system at the Women's Penitentiary in Teresina in 2019. A questionnaire was applied with closed questions on demographic characteristics, self-reported morbidity, health behaviors and information on sexual practices. The data were analyzed descriptively, with absolute and percentage values. Results: 54 women were interviewed, with predominance of age group between 26-40 years (63.0%), of black ethnicity (85.2%), with low education (74.1%), low income (94.4%) and without marital partnership (66.7%). There was a higher self-reported frequency of sexually transmitted infections (33.3%) and mental illness (25.9%). As for health habits, 57.4% were current smokers, 70.4% used alcohol prior to imprisonment and 37% performed physical activity in the penitentiary. Almost half (48.1%) of women reported not having sexual practice in prison, with more reports of sexual practice with men (76.9%). However, 65.4% reported not using or sporadically using condoms. Conclusion: Women deprived of their liberty showed a profile that indicates susceptibility to physical and mental illness, with a greater risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections.