title: Cross-Sectional Association between Length of Incarceration and Selected Risk Factors for Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases in Two Male Prisons of Mexico City.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mexico City prisons are characterized by overcrowded facilities and poor living conditions for housed prisoners. Chronic disease profile is characterized by low prevalence of self reported hypertension (2.5%) and diabetes (1.8%) compared to general population; 9.5% of male inmates were obese. There is limited evidence regarding on the exposure to prison environment over prisoner's health status; particularly, on cardiovascular disease risk factors. The objective of this study is to assess the relationship between length of incarceration and selected risk factors for non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  We performed a cross-sectional analysis using data from two large male prisons in Mexico City (n = 14,086). Using quantile regression models we assessed the relationship between length of incarceration and selected risk factors for NCDs; stratified analysis by age at admission to prison was performed. We found a significant negative trend in BMI and WC across incarceration length quintiles. BP had a significant positive trend with a percentage change increase around 5% mmHg. The greatest increase in systolic blood pressure was observed in the older age at admission group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This analysis provides insight into the relationship between length of incarceration and four selected risk factors for NCDs; screening for high blood pressure should be guarantee in order to identify at risk individuals and linked to the prison's health facility. It is important to assess prison environment features to approach potential risk for developing NCDs in this context.
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Systems Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Silverman-Retana
authors.affiliation: Center for Population Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Ruy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lopez-Ridaura
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Systems Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
authors.forename: Edson
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Servan-Mori
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Systems Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bautista-Arredondo
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health. University of California, Berkeley, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: Stefano M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Bertozzi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011330:Prisons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult