Pulmonary tuberculosis in prisons of the ex-USSR state Georgia: results of a nation-wide prevalence survey among sentenced inmates.
METHODS
The penitentiary system of the ex-USSR state of Georgia.


OBJECTIVE
To measure the prevalence of active pulmonary tuberculosis and drug-resistant disease among prisoners. To identify factors associated with active tuberculosis and multidrug resistance (MDR).


METHODS
A comprehensive multiphasic screening survey for tuberculosis.


RESULTS
The prevalence of smear- or culture-positive tuberculosis was 5995 per 100,000 prisoners (n = 448 cases among 7473 inmates). Of all the strains, 215 (77.9%) were resistant to at least one drug and 37 (13.0%) were MDR. Independent risk markers associated smear- or culture-positive tuberculosis with included prison stay of 2 years or more, body mass index <20 kg/m2, accommodation in a large size prison, previous anti-tuberculosis treatment, cough of 2 weeks or more and loss of appetite. Risk markers associated with MDR were a prison stay of less than 2 years and being over 25 years of age.


CONCLUSIONS
In Georgia, the excess risk for tuberculosis among prisoners is unprecedented, suggesting that prisons represent a significant reservoir of tuberculosis. Only a comprehensive strategy for tuberculosis control in prisons, including prison reform, control of anti-tuberculosis drugs, and prompt and efficient diagnosis and treatment of patients can have an impact on the tuberculosis burden in the prison system.
Aerts
A
A
Health Services Unit, International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva, Switzerland. aaerts@icrc.org
Habouzit
M
M
Mschiladze
L
L
Malakmadze
N
N
Sadradze
N
N
Menteshashvili
O
O
Portaels
F
F
Sudre
P
P
D000328:Adult; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple; D005260:Female; D005846:Georgia (Republic) / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000453:epidemiology*