Contagious Diseases in Provincial Jail in the Philippines: A Framework for Enhanced Management Response

This study identified challenges, awareness, and practices related to the management of contagious diseases in the Provincial Jail of Occidental Mindoro, enabling an improved response. Respondents included 242 Persons Deprived of Liberty PDLs and 69 jail staff. A self-designed questionnaire was used to conduct descriptive-correlational research. Most respondents were male, single, and high school-level, and were Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) without contagious diseases. Access to health information, prison conditions, and health management were significant issues. Despite these obstacles, they understood contagious diseases and practiced hygiene and health in jail. Profile-based challenges, awareness, and practices differed significantly. Challenges and awareness, as well as challenges and practices, and awareness and practices, were also related. This study addresses a critical gap in understanding how health awareness and preventive practices influence the management of contagious diseases in Philippine jails. The findings are relevant because Philippine health policies and ASEAN health frameworks emphasize the improvement of public health responses in resource-limited settings. Implementing health-promoting strategies, conducting risk assessments, and collaborating with the Provincial Government, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), and national health agencies to develop ASEAN-aligned Contagious Disease Emergency Response Guidelines is essential for controlling contagious diseases.