COVID-19's effect on pregnancy care for incarcerated people

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Authors
Kramer, Camille
Williamston, Ashley-Devon
Shlafer, Rebecca J.
Sufrin, Carolyn B.
Issue Date
2022-06
Type
Article
Language
en_US
Keywords
COVID-19 , Incarceration , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Care , Prisons and Jails
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Abstract
Objective/background: Prisons and jails are high risk environments for COVID-19. Little is known about COVID-19's impact on pregnancy care for the tens of thousands of pregnant people who pass through these institutions each year. This study aimed to describe how COVID-19 has influenced prisons' and jails' pregnancy care services. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of U.S. prisons and jails and report descriptive statistics. Results: We received 17 responses. Sites reported changes in prenatal care delivery, support programming, housing, and visitation. Most sites implemented changes in housing arrangements to quarantine individuals at-risk for COVID-19. Many sites increased their use of virtual technology to supplement for suspended in-person appointments, programming, and visitation. Conclusions: The impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy care delivery and support services for incarcerated pregnant people is variable. As the pandemic continues, research and policy should ensure that incarcerated pregnant people have access to full scope pregnancy care.
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Citation
Kramer, C., Williamston, A. D., Shlafer, R. J., & Sufrin, C. B. (2022). COVID-19's Effect on Pregnancy Care for Incarcerated People. Health equity, 6(1), 406–411. https://doi.org/10.1089/heq.2022.0035
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Health Equity
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