As we have read, Russia suffers from a variety of issues in the public health sector. In recent years, one of these issues has been tuberculosis: in the country's population in general, but especially in jails. About 10 years ago, Medical and Penal Institution Number One was opened for inmates infected with tuberculosis. In this center, the inmates receive medical care for their illness, but also receive unique correctional activities, such as the opportunity to perform in talent shows, spend time with other inmates in the jail's cafe, and become educated on taking responsibility of personal health for the good of the community as a whole.
This approach to treating inmates with a highly communicable disease is quite original, and has been wildly effective in reducing the frequencies of TB infections among individuals in jail. Additionally, pairing cultural and educational opportunities with the medical treatment lends the inmates a feeling of community and purpose within the jail. This can help with self-confidence and happiness in general, and both of these feelings are crucial for positive behavior change. Thus, the coupling of medical treatment with cultural and educational engagement not only cures them of tuberculosis, but also encourages them to become responsible social citizens once more upon their release from the institution.
Link
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/07/09/197739736/TB-IN-RUSSIAN-PRISONS
This is an awesome example of the biopsychosocial model being implemented. It is often hard to build an intervention that targets all three of the areas. Here the inmates received social and psychological benefits along with with their medical care. Being in an environment that is encouraging and supportive also helps the recovery. Socializing and education could easily boost their self esteem and self worth, allowing their mental health to increase. Often times inmates are looked over and are left with poor health care and services, but they deserve it just as much as anyone else.
ReplyDeleteIt is so nice to know that this approach is not only providing medical care for the inmates, but social companionship as well. Like Kay said, it is so important to have a encouraging support system at times like this. It is known that if people are happy and in a positive mood, this can help them get better sooner. A lot of other places are implementing this same therapy to help patients overcome their illness. For example, Arkansas Children's Hospital has dogs come into their play room and visit patients in their rooms to help them feel better. I also love that they are educating the inmates on how to take care of themselves and how to avoid getting others around them sick, because education honestly is the key to why their numbers are decreasing.
ReplyDeleteI think this is an innovative approach at controlling the spread of communicable diseases amongst a very vulnerable population. Even in the U.S., prisons are known to be at high risk for things like communicable diseases because they are designed for close living quarters, medical care is substandard in most places, and personal hygiene and health education are not high on anyone's priority list. Tuberculosis is a hard disease to overcome, especially if you have a resistant strain. A person has to take their meds for 9 months or longer, the meds make you really sick, and if you skip a day because you feel better you set yourself up for an even nastier drug-resistant strain the next time you catch it. Tuberculosis is spread via aerosol droplets, mostly from a deep cough. Just think how fast TB could spread amongst a population living in close quarters....if you have the time you might check out the documentary series "Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?". There is an episode called Collateral Damage, it focuses on the Marshall Islands and the history of the US base located on one of their islands. Basically all of the Marshallese were forced to move from the largest island to make way for the US military base and so they are packed onto one of the smaller islands making it very crowded, lots of shantytowns, no indoor plumbing, and lots of TB. There's a copy of this documentary in the library if you ever want to check it out.
ReplyDeleteIt’s awesome to see that TB is being attacked in these Russian prisons since they are considered to be most dangerous in finding drug resistant strains. It’s important for us to not see prisoners as outcasts in our societies, but rather people who’s lives can be dramatically changed and impacted. I feel that treating these prisoners of TB not only helps to cure them of the disease, but also helps to give them a feeling of self worth. This feeling can further help them to be motivated to change their lifestyles. After all, the last thing we want is for prisoners to serve their time, go back into society, and continue the same lifestyle. True change roots from a positive view of oneself, and I feel that this TB treatment is making great strides in the Russian prisoners health and lives.
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