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Published on: September 5, 2017
Tuberculosis in UK prisoners: a challenge for control.
Charlotte Anderson1, Alistair Story, Tim Brown
1Tuberculosis Section, Respiratory and Systemic Infections Department, Health Protection Agency Centre for Infections, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ, UK. charlotte.anderson@hpa.org.uk
Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant risk in UK prisons, particularly drug-resistant and infectious forms. Poor treatment completion and follow-up care complicate TB control among prisoners.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
- Prison Health
Background:
- Tuberculosis (TB) disproportionately affects individuals with social and clinical risk factors.
- Prison populations present unique challenges for TB control due to these risk factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the characteristics of prisoners diagnosed with TB in the UK.
- To inform clinical management and public health policy for TB control in correctional facilities.
Main Methods:
- A study of 205 patients newly diagnosed with TB in UK prisons between 2004-2007.
- Analysis of TB isolates for drug susceptibility and strain typing.
Main Results:
- Prisoners with TB were more likely to be UK-born, white, and have pulmonary TB compared to non-prisoners.
- Over one-third of culture-confirmed TB cases in prisoners showed isoniazid resistance.
- Less than half (48%) of prisoners completed TB treatment, with 20% lost to follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Imprisonment is a significant risk factor for TB in the UK, including drug-resistant and infectious TB.
- High rates of treatment non-completion and loss to follow-up impede effective TB management in UK prisons.
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