Tuberculosis control practices in some prison systems of the Asia-Pacific Region, 1997.
METHODS
Prison health services of Member States of the Western-Pacific Region (WPR) of the World Health Organization (WHO).


OBJECTIVE
To assess tuberculosis control activities in prisons.


METHODS
Self-reporting questionnaire.


RESULTS
A total of 15 responses out of a possible 26 (57%) were received from WPR countries. The estimated population for the respondent countries was 65 154 000 out of a possible 1 580 000 000 (4%); 69% of respondents stated that the prison health service was independent of the custodial service, 86% notified tuberculosis cases to national health authorities, and 84% of respondents applied directly observed therapy to tuberculosis cases. Only 76% of respondents reported that patients were transferred on release to community treatment services.


CONCLUSIONS
Tuberculosis control practices in prisons are inconsistent, and do not conform to guidelines now promoted by the WHO. Emphasis on the diagnosis and treatment of infectious cases, improved surveillance of tuberculosis, and the integration of prison programmes into the National Tuberculosis Programmes (NTP) will improve the current epidemic behind prison walls.
Levy
M H
MH
Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, University of Sydney, Australia. mrya@hotmail.com
D001210:Asia, Southeastern; D001315:Australia; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D010139:Pacific Islands; D011330:Prisons; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000517:prevention & control*