International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research

Authors
Tape Bi Sehi Antoine

Abstract
In Côte d’Ivoire, the constitution recognizes the right of inmates to access health care of a level at least equivalent to that provided to the rest of the population living outside of prisons. Generally speaking, in practice, inmates face obstacles to accessing health care in prisons, especially in the Abidjan Correctional Facility (ACF). So, what are the factors that hinder access to health care for inmates in the Abidjan Correctional Facility (ACF)? To answer this question, the study aims at analyzing the factors that hinder access to health care for inmates in the Abidjan Correctional Facility (ACF). The data collection methodology was based on a literature review, semi-structured interviews and questionnaires administered to 25 former inmates based on a non-probability sample and using the convenience method. The combination of statistical data analysis from the documentary research and field survey refined with the Chi2 and Cramer’s V statistical tests allowed us to identify five variables as factors hindering inmates’ access to health care in the Abidjan Correctional Facility (ACF). Thus, the study shows that the obstacles are statistically linked to the recurrent rupture of drugs (chi2 cal (13.64) > chi2 tab (3.84); Cramer’s V = 0.7), the low level of technical support (chi2 cal (12.04) > chi2 tab (3.84); Cramer’s V = 0.7), the inability of the State and the prisoners’ parents to pay the costs of outside care (chi2 cal (19.80) > chi2 tab (3.84); Cramer's V = 0.9). In addition to this, there is the lack of hospital beds in the referral hospitals (chi2 cal (19.78) > chi2 tab (3.84); Cramer’s V = 0.9) and the ransom of inmates who show signs of illness before being registered in the ‘‘sick book’’ (chi2 cal (13.62) > chi2 tab (3.84); Cramer’s V = 0.7). These shortcomings combined with the dual governance of ACF could be corrected through reforms of the normative framework but also by concretely swaying the obstacles to access health care in prisons.