Prevalence Of Tuberculosis Among Prison In-Mates At Aba Federal Prison

ABSTRACT

The prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among prison in-mates at Aba Federal Prisons, in Abia State, South-Eastern Nigeria, was conducted between September-October, 2013. Out of a total number of 477 prison inmates present in the prison at the time of the study, 449 were screened for history of cough of 2 or more week’s duration. Fifty-two (10.42%) met the inclusion criterion. Eleven (21.15%) of the 52 tested for Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) by sputum smear microscopy were positive for AFB. A total of 12 inmates of Aba prison were pulmonary tuberculosis cases giving a minimum point prevalence rate of 2, 405 cases per 100,000 inmates. Four of the 11 cells had at least one smear positive case with 7 of the 11 cases concentrated in two cells. The age group 25-34 had the highest number of sputum positive cases. The results of this study show that the prevalence of TB is very high (2,405 cases per 100,000 inmates) in Aba prison. This calls for urgent action to control TB in the prison.