Smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis in a prison setting: experience in the penal camp of Bouaké, Ivory Coast.
METHODS
Bouaké prison camp, Ivory Coast.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the clinical, radiographic and therapeutic characteristics of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in the prison camp of Bouaké.


METHODS
The study included 108 cases of smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis who had never been treated previously. Triple chemotherapy of 6 months' duration was recommended for all of the patients.


RESULTS
The incidence of smear positive tuberculosis in the prison population under study was very high (5.8%). In the majority of cases tuberculosis infection is associated with other conditions: here they were malnutrition (75%), anaemia (70%) and dermatoses (64%). Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was observed in 30% of the cases, and alcohol and tobacco dependence in 50%. Radiographic lesions were extensive in 70% of the cases. The 6-month treatment regimen is still effective: 80 of the 108 (74.1%) were cured, i.e. 97.6% of those who completed their treatment. The death rate, however, was alarming at 24% (one patient in four). The main reason for incarceration was theft (73%).


CONCLUSIONS
Other epidemiological studies are needed urgently in order to pin-point those factors that favour the progression from tuberculous infection to disease in this very specific setting, and to improve socio-sanitary conditions for prison inmates.
Koffi
N
N
Department of Pulmonology, CHU de Cocody, Abidjan.
Ngom
A K
AK
Aka-Danguy
E
E
Séka
A
A
Akoto
A
A
Fadiga
D
D
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007560:Cote d'Ivoire / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*
D000995:Antitubercular Agents