Prevalence of tuberculosis and associated risk factors in the Central Prison of Mbuji-Mayi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
BACKGROUND
Tuberculosis still remains a major public health concern in several provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, especially in prison settings. The present study aimed at determining tuberculosis (TB) prevalence and associated risk factors in inmates of the Mbuji-Mayi Central Prison.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study was performed over a 6-month period (January to June 2015) in Mbuji-Mayi Central Prison. A total of 733 inmates were screened systematically for TB. The diagnosis was based on clinical examination and bacteriological tests.


RESULTS
Tuberculosis was diagnosed in 130 inmates, what amounts to a 17.7 % prevalence (95 % confidence interval [CI] 15.1-20.6 %). The mean age ± SD of infected inmates was 31 ± 9.5 years old, and 94.8 % of them were male. Inmates were detained for a median period of 24 months (range: 3 months to 12 years). A cough lasting more than 2 weeks, body temperature higher than 39 °C, and weight loss were the predominating clinical signs. Factors independently associated with TB infection were overcrowding; highest population attributable fraction ([PAF] 88.2 %; adjusted odds ratio [OR] 9.8 [95 % CI 3.1-31.6]); malnutrition (body mass index of less than 18.5 kg/m(2)) (PAF 35.6 %; adjusted OR 2.1 [1.3-3.0]); and a detention period equal to or greater than 12 months (PAF 38.7 %; adjusted OR 2.1 [1.4-3.1]).


CONCLUSIONS
Improving detention and sanitary conditions, as well as providing an adequate and early healthcare, are urgently needed to reduce TB prevalence in the prison environment.
Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Liege, Sart Tilman (B23), 4000 Liege, Belgium.
Guillaume MuasaPatoka
GM
Kalonji
Liege Criminology School Jean Constant, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium.
Gérard
G
De Connick
Lodja University of Sciences and Technologies, Lodja, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Léon
L
Okenge Ngongo
Mbuji-Mayi Higher Institute of Medical Engineering, Mbuji-Mayi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Dieudonné
D
Kazumba Nsaka
Medical Centre of Mbuji-Mayi Central Prison, Mbuji-Mayi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Thierry
T
Kabengele
Kinshasa Higher Institute of Medical Engineering, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Félicien
F
Tshimungu Kandolo
Kinshasa Higher Institute of Medical Engineering, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Félicien
F
Ilunga-Ilunga
Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Liege, Sart Tilman (B23), 4000 Liege, Belgium.
Albert
A
Adelin
Department of General Practice, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium.
Didier
D
Giet
Democratic Republic of Congo; Prevalence; Prison; Tuberculosis
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