title: Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis in Karachi juvenile jail, Pakistan.
abstract: Jail inmates may be at increased risk of contracting tuberculosis (TB). We studied 386 detainees (mean age 17.7 years) in Karachi juvenile jail to determine the prevalence of TB and possible risk factors for contracting TB. We found a 3.9% prevalence of TB among the inmates, significantly higher than the estimated 1.1% prevalence in the general population of Pakistan. Positive family history of TB was a significant risk factor for TB. Poor adherence of previously diagnosed patients to anti-TB treatment was found. Our study highlights the vulnerability of inmates to TB owing to the presence of highly infectious cases, along with environmental conditions such as overcrowding and poor ventilation. This study strongly indicates the need for an effective treatment programme in the jails as well in the general community.
authors.affiliation: Sindh AIDS Control Programme, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Mujeeb
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mirza
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Nabi
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Siddiqui
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D023801:Directly Observed Therapy; D005191:Family Characteristics; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D011330:Prisons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014691:Ventilation
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents