Trends and Correlations of Tuberculosis Morbidity in the Penitentiary System

Abstract

Relevance. Persons held in detention have a high risk of tuberculosis (TB), Aim. Comparative characteristics of the incidence of tuberculosis among prisoners in the penitentiary system and the population. Materials and methods. Тhe retrospective epidemiological analysis of long-term dynamics and the relationship between tuberculosis (TB) incidence rates among the population and contingents of the penitentiary institutions in the Eastern Siberian region of Russia (Irkutsk region) was carried out in 2004– 2019. Results. It has been identified that tuberculosis incidence rate (TB) of penitentiary institutions many times exceeds that in population (on average: in pretrial detention facilities by 10 times, in correctional facilities by 12 times). Increasing of tuberculosis incidence rate in the penitentiary system has signs of autonomy both in its various institutions and in comparison, with indicators of the population. Decreasing of incidence rate in the penitentiary system occurs mainly due to correctional facilities where over the analyzed period the incidence rate decreased by 5 times, and probability of tuberculosis developing decreased by 3.5 times. In the correctional facilities significant impact of incidence rate on TB situation in population (coinciding or delayed in time) has not been identified. The regression of tuberculosis incidence rate in pretrial detention facilities has been occurred at a much slower rate, with maintaining a high level of the probability of tuberculosis developing. A population impact of the TB situation in the population on pretrial detention facilities situation with a delayed time shift of 1–4 years was revealed. Conclusion. Since 2004, there has been a marked improvement in the TB situation in the penitentiary system. The incidence of TB in the penitentiary system does not have a significant impact on the spread of this infection in society. However, there remains a high risk of TB among those in prison.