Chronic Disease Association Between Mobility and Dexterity Disabilities in the Prison Population of Peru

Background: In the Peruvian penitentiary context, exposure to adverse conditions may contribute to the development of chronic diseases, whose association with physical disability, particularly in mobility and dexterity, has been scarcely explored. Objectives: The objective of this study is to estimate the association between chronic diseases and mobility and dexterity disabilities in the penitentiary population of Peru. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study based on data from the 2016 National Census of the Penitentiary Population, which included 76,180 inmates in 66 penitentiary centers. Individuals over 18 years old who answered key questions about chronic diseases and disabilities were included. The final sample consisted of 75,963 inmates. A 405-item questionnaire was administered, from which only the information related to chronic diseases and disabilities was considered for analysis. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and Poisson regression models were applied to estimate adjusted associations, accounting for potential confounding variables and adhering to established ethical research principles. Results: The majority of participants were male (94%), and the predominant age group was 30 - 34 years (43.3%). About 9.7% reported mobility and dexterity disabilities, with 39.4% having mild disabilities. Regarding chronic diseases, 6.3% had lung diseases, 4.8% had hypertension, and 2.5% had diabetes. A significant association was found between chronic diseases and disability. Multimorbidity increased the risk of disability, with a prevalence ratio (PR) of 2.00 for one disease, 2.89 (2.62 - 3.20) for two diseases, and 3.91 (3.25 - 4.70) for three diseases. Conclusions: The presence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and respiratory disease, as well as their comorbidity, is significantly associated with a higher prevalence of mobility and dexterity disabilities among incarcerated individuals.