Cross-sectional assessment of tuberculosis and HIV prevalence in 13 correctional facilities in Zambia

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) and HIV in 13 Zambian correctional facilities.MethodsCross-sectional study.Setting13 correctional facilities in seven of the 10 provinces in Zambia.ParticipantsAll incarcerated individuals were eligible for TB and HIV screening and testing. Of the total study population of 9695 individuals, which represent 46.2% of total correctional population at the beginning of the study, 8267 and 8160 were screened for TB and HIV, respectively.InterventionsTB and HIV screening and testing was done between July 2018 and February 2019.Primary outcome measuresAll forms of TB, bacteriologically confirmed TB, drug-resistant TB, HIV.ResultsPrevalence of all forms of TB and bacteriologically confirmed TB was 1599 (1340–1894) per 100 000 population and 1056 (847–1301) per 100 000 population, respectively. Among those with bacteriologically confirmed TB, 4.6% (1.3%–11.4%) had drug-resistant TB.There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of all forms of TB, bacteriologically confirmed TB and drug resistant TB between adults and juveniles: (p=0.82), (p=0.23), (p=0.68) respectively. Of the bacteriologically confirmed TB cases, 28.7% were asymptomatic. The prevalence of HIV was 14.3% (13.6%–15.1%). The prevalence of HIV among females was 1.8 times the prevalence of HIV among males (p=0.01).ConclusionCompared with the study in 2011 which screened inmates representing 30% of the country’s inmate population, then the prevalence of all forms of TB and HIV in correctional facilities has reduced by about 75% and 37.6%, respectively. However, compared with the general population, the prevalence of all forms of TB and HIV was 3.5 and 1.3 times higher, respectively. TB/HIV programmes in correctional facilities need further strengthening to include aspects of juvenile-specific TB programming and gender responsive HIV programming.