Risk factors for developing tuberculosis in remand prisons in St. Petersburg, Russia - a case-control study

Environmental factors associated with the time to tuberculosis diagnosis in prisoners in São Paulo, Brazil

BACKGROUND

Environmental conditions play an important role in the high incidence of tuberculosis in prisons. We estimated the effect of environmental factors, including measurements based on cell dimensions, on the time to tuberculosis diagnosis in prison population of Brazil.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort of 2,257 prisoners diagnosed with tuberculosis in 2014 and 2015. We collected environmental data from 105 prisons and linked with routine tuberculosis surveillance and prison data. We estimated tuberculosis-free survival time with Cox risk models, guided by a validated directed acyclic graph.

RESULTS

The median disease-free time was 1.71 years (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.64-1.78). Each 50% increase in occupancy-rate, increased the tuberculosis speed incidence by 16% (95% CI 8%-25%) in the first 2 years, and 9% (95% CI 3%-16%) up to 5 years. An increase in the cell area per person (ln[m2/person]) reduced the hazard of tuberculosis by 13% (95% CI 3%-23%) for up to 2, and 12% (95% CI 3%-21%) for up to 5 years.

DISCUSSION

Most tuberculosis cases were diagnosed within 2 years of incarceration. Prison overcrowding and physical space per person in the cell were associated with the tuberculosis-free disease time.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions to reduce overcrowding or increase physical space are crucial to prevent tuberculosis in prisons.

Impact of incarceration on tuberculosis incidence and its interaction with income distribution inequality in Brazil

BACKGROUND

Deteriorated conditions in the non-prison population can lead to an approximation of its tuberculosis (TB) risk to that in the prison population. We evaluated the association between incarceration and TB incidence rate and its interaction with population income distribution inequality in Brazilian municipalities (2013-2015).

METHODS

We included 954 municipalities with at least one prison. Interaction between the Gini coefficient and prison exposure was analysed in a multiple regression model. We estimated the fraction of TB in the population attributable fraction (PAF) to exposure to prisons according the Gini coefficient.

RESULTS

Compared with the non-prison population, the prisoners had 22.07 times (95% confidence interval [CI] 20.38 to 23.89) the risk of TB in municipalities where the Gini coefficient was <0.60 and 14.96 times (95% CI 11.00 to 18.92) the risk where the Gini coefficient was ≥0.60. A negative interaction in the multiplicative scale was explained by a higher TB incidence in the non-prison population in municipalities with a Gini coefficient ≥0.60. The PAF ranged from 50.06% to 5.19% in municipalities with Gini coefficients <0.40 and ≥0.60, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions to reduce prison exposure would have an ostensible impact in population TB incidence rates mainly in settings with lower Gini coefficients. In those with extreme inequality in income distribution, strategies focused on mitigating the effects of socio-economic factors should also be prioritized.

Prevalence of smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis and associated risk factors among prisoners in Hadiya Zone prison, Southern Ethiopia

Background

People concentrated in congregated systems such as prisons, are important but often neglected reservoirs for tuberculosis transmission, and threaten those in the outside community. The condition is more serious in Africa particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) due to its poor living conditions and ineffective health services.

Objectives

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis and associated risk factors among prisoners in Hadiya Zone prison.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was carried out from May to June 2013 in Hadiya Zone prison. Prison inmates who had history of cough for at least a week were included in the study. Three morning sputum samples were collected from suspected inmates and examined through compound light microscopy. The data obtained was analyzed using statistical software like Epidata and STATA.

Results

A total of 164 prisoners were included in the survey using active screening strategy and the point prevalence of smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in the prison was 349.2 per 100,000 populations; about three times higher than its prevalence in the general population. Even though lack of visit from family was the only variable identified as a risk factor for PTB (P = 0.029), almost all of the PTB positive cases were rural residents, farmers, male youngsters and those who shared cell with TB patients and chronically coughing persons as well as those who stayed in a cell that contains >100 inmates.

Conclusion

There is high prevalence of TB in Hadiya Zone prison with possible active transmission of TB within the prison. The study also documented a number of factors which may facilitate exposures to TB though most of them are not significantly associated. Therefore, strong cooperation between prison authorities and the national tuberculosis control programmes is urgently required to develop locally appropriate interventions to reduce transmission.

Prisons as a source of tuberculosis in Russia

PURPOSE

The purpose of this paper is to analyze poor management of tuberculosis (TB) prevention and treatment and explore parameters and causes of this problem drawing on qualitative interviews with former prisoners and medical specialists in Kaliningrad Oblast in Russia.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH

The authors undertook a qualitative study, to explore access to HIV and TB treatment for people who inject drugs in Kaliningrad. The authors interviewed (outside of prisons) 15 patients and eight health specialists using a semi-structured guide. The authors analyzed the accounts thematically and health consequences of imprisonment emerged as a major theme.

FINDINGS

Prisons are overcrowded and lack basic hygiene and infection control. Demand for medical services outstrip supply, HIV and TB prevention lacking, HIV and TB treatment is patchy, with no second-line drugs available for resistant forms. The prison conditions are generally degrading and unhealthy and many respondents perceived surviving prisons as a miracle. Cooperation with medical services in the community is poor.

RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS

The authors used qualitative research methods, which do not rely on a representative sample. However, many of the structural barriers preventing effective TB treatment and prevention highlighted in this paper have been noted elsewhere, suggesting that findings are likely to reflect conditions elsewhere in Russia. The authors tried to include all possible points of view, as of the medical staff and the patients. However, due to resistance of the officials the authors were unable to conduct interviews with employees of the FCS. Since all the interviews are recalling past experience, the situation may have changed. This does not undermine importance of the findings, as they shed light on particular treatment experiences, and development of prison health system.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE

The paper contributes to the literature on prisons as a contributor to TB epidemic, including drug resistant forms. An urgent penitentiary reform in Russia should focus on HIV and TB prevention, case detection, availability of medications and effective treatments. Key to decreasing prison population and improving health is political reform aimed at introduction of effective drug treatment, de-penalization and de-criminalization of drug users and application of alternatives to incarceration.

Clinical and epidemiological profiles of individuals with drug-resistant tuberculosis

Drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) is a growing global threat. Approximately 450,000 people developed multidrug-resistant TB worldwide in 2012 and an estimated 170,000 people died from the disease. This paper describes the sociodemographic, clinical-epidemiological and bacteriological aspects of TB and correlates these features with the distribution of anti-TB drug resistance. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT) cultures and drug susceptibility testing were performed according to the BACTEC MGIT 960 method. The results demonstrated that MT strains from individuals who received treatment for TB and people who were infected with human immunodeficiency virus were more resistant to TB drugs compared to other individuals (p < 0.05). Approximately half of the individuals received supervised treatment, but most drug-resistant cases were positive for pulmonary TB and exhibited positive acid-fast bacilli smears, which are complicating factors for TB control programs. Primary healthcare is the ideal level for early disease detection, but tertiary healthcare is the most common entry point for patients into the system. These factors require special attention from healthcare managers and professionals to effectively control and monitor the spread of TB drug-resistant cases.

Determinants of Pulmonary Tuberculosis among Inmates at Mangaung Maximum Correctional Facility in Bloemfontein, South Africa

Introduction. Correctional facilities house large number of inmates who are at high risk of developing tuberculosis (TB); however factors associated with TB among inmates at Mangaung Correctional Centre have not been studied. Study Population and Methods. We undertook a case control study and reviewed a total of 1140 medical records of inmates treated for TB between 2009 and 2010. Cases were selected randomly from the medical records of inmates who were treated. Data collected were analysed using STATA version 12.0 and determinants of TB were evaluated using multiple logistic regression analyses. Factors with P < 0.05 were considered significant. Results. Prevalence of TB was 8.8% and 52% of inmates with TB were aged 31–40 years; 58% of the TB cases were HIV positive and 34% of them had CD4 cell count 350 cells/mm³. Factors associated with TB among inmates were HIV coinfection (OR: 4.2; 95% CI: 2.64–7.00); previous history of TB disease (OR: 3.58; 95% CI: 2.25–5.70); and smoking (OR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.16–3.81). Conclusion. Interventions to improve TB detection such as regular screening of inmates with such factors need to be reinforced to control transmission of TB among inmates and the community.

A comparative study on the prevalence and risk factors of tuberculosis among the prisoners in khuzestan, South-west iran

BACKGROUND

High prevalence of Tuberculosis (TB) among prisoners is reported as an alarming public health problem in the world, especially in the developing countries.

OBJECTIVES

Since there is almost no information from TB in this population in Khuzestan province, the current study aimed to assess the prevalence and identify risk factors of TB among the prisoners of this region.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a retrospective study, medical files of patients with Tuberculosis in Khuzestan Health Center (KHC), from 2005 to 2010, were studied. Patients with Pulmonary TB were placed in two groups as the Inmate Prison (IP) and Non-Inmate Prison (NIP) groups. Data extracted from the patients' records in the two groups were compared by SPSS software system using Chi square and Fisher exact tests. P-value was considered less than 0.05.

RESULTS

From the reported 4562 patients with Tuberculosis, 363 (7.9%) were prison inmates at the time of TB diagnosis. Prevalence of TB cases among the prison inmates was 403.3 per 100'000.The annual TB case rate in the general population during this period was 16.4 per 100,000. Among the TB risk factors close contact [odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI), 19.4, 8.9-41.8, P < 001] especially in the recent 2 years, injection drug use (IDU) [OR, 95% CI, 4.61, 1.7-12.4, P = 006], and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection [OR, 95% CI, 2.4, 1.1-5.0, P = 025] were more frequent in the prisoners than in the general population with TB.

CONCLUSIONS

In the region under study the prevalence of TB among the prisoners was higher than the general population. The main risk factors for Pulmonary TB in this population were close contact, IDU and HIV infection.

Review of the prevalence and drug resistance of tuberculosis in prisons: a hidden epidemic

SUMMARY The prison setting has been often cited as a possible reservoir of tuberculosis (TB) including multidrug-resistant (MDR)-TB. This is particularly true in low-income, high TB prevalence countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. A systemic literature review was done to assess the prevalence, drug resistance and risk factors for acquiring TB in the prison population. Our review indicated a high prevalence of TB in prisons which is reported to be 3- to 1000-fold higher than that found in the civilian population, indicating evidence and the need for public health policy formulation. In addition, high levels of MDR and extensively drug-resistant (XDR)-TB have been reported from prisons, which is a warning call to review prison TB control strategy. Multiple risk factors such as overcrowding, poor ventilation, malnutrition, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and others have fuelled the spread of TB in prisons. Furthermore, the impact extends beyond the prison walls; it affects the civilian population, because family visits, prison staff, and members of the judiciary system could be potential portals of exit for TB transmission. The health of prisoners is a neglected political and scientific issue. Within these background conditions, it is suggested that political leaders and scientific communities should work together and give special attention to the control of TB and MDR-TB in prisons. If not, TB in prisons will remain a neglected global problem and threatens national and international TB control programmes. Further researches are required on the prevalence and drug resistance of smear-negative TB in prisons. In addition, evidence of the circulating strains and transmission dynamics inside prisons is also warranted.

Prevalence, risk factors and social context of active pulmonary tuberculosis among prison inmates in Tajikistan

SETTING

Tuberculosis (TB) is highly prevalent in prisons of the former Soviet Union.

OBJECTIVE

To understand the behavioral, demographic and biological factors placing inmates in Tajikistan at risk for active TB.

DESIGN

We administered a behavioral and demographic survey to 1317 inmates in two prison facilities in Sughd province, Tajikistan along with radiographic screening for pulmonary TB. Suspected cases were confirmed bacteriologically. Inmates undergoing TB treatment were also surveyed. In-depth interviews were conducted with former prisoners to elicit relevant social and behavioral characteristics.

RESULTS

We identified 59 cases of active pulmonary TB (prevalence 4.5%). Factors independently associated with increased prevalence of active TB were: HIV-infection by self-report (PR 7.88; 95%CI 3.40-18.28), history of previous TB (PR 10.21; 95%CI 6.27-16.63) and infrequent supplemental nutrition beyond scheduled meals (PR 3.00; 95%CI 1.67-5.62). Access to supplemental nutrition was associated with frequency of visits from friends and family and ability to rely on other inmates for help.

CONCLUSION

In prison facilities of Tajikistan, HIV-infection, injection drug use and low access to supplemental nutrition were associated with prevalent cases of active pulmonary TB. Policies that reduce HIV transmission among injection drug users and improve the nutritional status of socially isolated inmates may alleviate the TB burden in Tajikistan's prisons.

Epidemiological analyses of tuberculosis in Archangelsk, Russia and implementation of a rapid assay for detection of resistance in this high burden setting

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major problem in Russia, particularly regarding multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Rapid drug susceptibility testing methods are therefore needed.

OBJECTIVES

To perform epidemiological analyses of TB in the Archangelsk region and to evaluate the molecular method GenoType®MTBDRplus in this type of setting.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical and microbiological data of all TB patients in Archangelsk were collected in 2010. Smear-positive sputa were analysed by MTBDRplus and Bactec MGIT 960.

RESULTS

The number of TB cases was 812 (incidence 65/105) and among these patients, 151 cases were registered in the penitentiary system (incidence 1162/105). Most patients were men, 94% had pulmonary TB and 22% were relapses. Out of all cases, 341 (42%) were smear positive and thus contagious and 176 (22%) had MDR-TB, among which one had extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB). Furthermore, two TB patients had strains being resistant to rifampicin, but susceptible to isoniazid. The number of cases being both contagious and MDR-TB was 128 representing 15.8% of all TB cases (incidence 10.2/105). Among these 128 TB patients 37 were relapses representing 25.7% of all the relapse cases. The results of MTBDRplus and Bactec MGIT analyses corresponded in 98.8%.

CONCLUSIONS

In Archangelsk many TB patients had contagious MDR-TB thus being hazardous in society and relapsing pulmonary TB was common. The TB situation in the prisons was particularly severe. The analyses showed furthermore that MTBDRplus is of major value in this setting.

Prison life: television, sports, work, stress and insomnia in a remand prison

OBJECTIVE

To compare how prisoners complaining of insomnia and prisoners without sleep problems describe their daily activities, stress factors and the perceived reasons for their sleep quality in prison.

METHOD

102 randomly chosen remanded prisoners complaining of insomnia and 61 randomly chosen prisoners who did not complain of insomnia.

RESULTS

Prisoners complaining of insomnia and those reporting good sleep differed significantly in their lifestyle in prison. A significantly higher percentage of the former than of the latter reported writing letters, diaries or a book in prison, as well as doing "arts-related" activities such as painting and listening to music. A significantly higher percentage of non insomniac prisoners than of prisoners complaining of insomnia practiced sports in prison, watched television, and spent their day discussing and meeting other detainees. PSQI and GHQ scores were significantly different between insomniac and non insomniac prisoners. Insomniac prisoners complained significantly more often than non-insomniac prisoners about sleep disturbances, in the first place by roommates, but also by guards. Activities in prison and stressful events were significant factors associated with the variable "insomnia versus no insomnia" Worries about medical problems (odds ratio: 12.9), being separated or divorced (odds ratio: 8.8), having experienced stressful events during the past week (odds ratio: 8.7), "art" activity (odds ratio: 8.6), and having a GHQ score>10 (odds ratio: 7.7) had the highest odds ratios among the tested covariates. No sports in prison and some activities were also predictors of insomnia when entered separately or conditionally.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides arguments on how to alleviate insomnia in prison: changing conditions of imprisonment is of public health benefit. Increased opportunities to practice sports in prison as well as adequate care for medical problems and psychological support to reduce context related stress should be routinely offered to insomniac prisoners.

Harm reduction and equity of access to care for French prisoners: a review

Background

Despite France being regarded as a model of efficient harm reduction policy and equity of access to care in the general community, the health of French inmates is a critical issue, as harm reduction measures are either inaccessible or only partially implemented in French prisons.

Method

Using specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, information was collected and analyzed about HIV, HBV and HCV prevalence, risk practices, mortality, access to harm reduction measures and care for French prison inmates.

Results

Data about the occurrence of bloodborne diseases, drug use and access to care in prisons remain limited and need urgent updating. Needle exchange programs are not yet available in French prisons and harm reduction interventions and access to OST remain limited or are heterogeneous across prisons. The continuity of care at prison entry and after release remains problematic and should be among the primary public health priorities for French prisoners.

Conclusion

Preventive and harm reduction measures should be urgently introduced at least as pilot programs. The implementation of such measures, not yet available in French prisons, is not only a human right for prison inmates but can also provide important public health benefits for the general population.

Drug use and health among prison inmates

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Health problems related to substance use are investigated and monitored throughout the world by both international organizations and governments. It is well recognized that prison inmates are a vulnerable group of the population. Research on this group is minimal compared with the general population. The problem of drug use and health consequences among this subpopulation is significant and needs to be explored.

RECENT FINDINGS

A higher prevalence of drug use is found among prison inmates than among the general population. The health status of prison inmates seems to be lower because of both the inmates' behavior and the prison environment. Various communicable diseases are commonly found such as hepatitis C virus, HIV, and syphilis.

SUMMARY

The health of prison inmates tended to be worse than in the general population, particularly for those who use drugs. Based on the principle of human rights and equity of access, healthcare services provided to prison inmates should be equivalent to those provided to the general population.