Diabetes Self-Management and Care Among Incarcerated Individuals: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Diabetes is prevalent among incarcerated individuals, necessitating effective management within prison settings. This study aims to assess diabetes management among incarcerated individuals and analyze the methodological aspects of relevant research focusing on incarcerated individuals with diabetes. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases, with data parameters from 1990 to 2021 and following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines, to investigate diabetes management in incarcerated individuals. The search yielded 706 records, from which 14 English-language quantitative studies meeting inclusion criteria were selected for analysis. These studies were predominantly retrospective with low levels of evidence. However, they consistently demonstrated the beneficial effects of dietary interventions, educational programs, and nursing guidance on diabetes management in incarcerated populations. This study highlights the need for more comprehensive and high-evidence research to further explore health professionals' practices with incarcerated individuals with diabetes and the effectiveness of diabetes management. Such studies are crucial for improving the quality of care provided to this vulnerable population.