Prevalence of tuberculosis and associated riskfactorsin the central prison of Mbuji-Mayi, Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract
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 syste
matically 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.