Diseases In Prisons Research Articles

The prevention of infectious diseases in prisoners in Cipinang Prison, Jakarta, Indonesia

This study explores the stages of conducting educational outreach on preventing infectious diseases among inmates at prison institutions in Cipinang, Jakarta. The research method was a qualitative descriptive approach in November 2024 Data collection techniques include interviews and documentation. The findings indicate that the prevention of infectious diseases by outreach method among prisoners is carried out through several stages: assessing the health needs of the inmates, planning the educational sessions, selecting appropriate methods and media for the outreach, and evaluating the effectiveness of the sessions. This initiative has successfully reduced behaviors that could lead to the transmission of diseases through various means, including airborne, food and drink, vector-borne, and other methods. The conclusion is that the outreach is conducted systematically. As a result, participants not only understand the content of the sessions but also take action to prevent the spread of diseases.

Gender differences in oral health among prisoners: a cross-sectional study from Taiwan

BackgroundThe prevalence of oral diseases among Taiwanese prisoners has rarely been investigated. This study aimed to estimate the gender-specific prevalence of oral disease in a sample of Taiwanese prisoners.MethodsWe included 83,048 participants from the National Health Insurance (NHI) Program. Outcomes were measured using the clinical version of the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9-CM). For prevalence, we provide absolute values and percentages. We also performed a χ2 test to assess sex and age group differences in the percentage of disease in the oral cavity, salivary glands, and jaw.ResultsThe prevalence rate of oral diseases was 25.90%, which was higher than that of the general population. The prevalence of oral diseases in female prisoners was higher than that in male prisoners (p < 0.001), and the prevalence of oral diseases in prisoners aged ≤ 40 was higher than that of prisoners aged > 40. Among all cases of diagnosed oral diseases, the top three diseases were dental hard tissue diseases (13.28%), other cellulitis and abscesses (9.79%), and pruritus and related conditions (2.88%), respectively. The prevalence of various oral diseases in female prisoners was significantly higher than that in male prisoners.ConclusionOral disease is common among Taiwanese prisoners. Female prisoners had a higher prevalence of oral, salivary gland, and jaw diseases than male prisoners. Therefore, early prevention and appropriate treatment are required and also a need for gender-specific oral disease products given the differences in the prevalence of oral disease among male and female prisoners.

Self-Reported Personal Hygiene Practice and Associated Factors among Prison Inmates in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia: An Institution-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

The growing prevalence of communicable diseases in prison is significantly attributed to poor hygiene practices and insufficient sanitary conditions. The aim of this study was to assess self-reported personal hygiene practice and its associated factors among prison inmates in Gondar, northwest Ethiopia. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 1, 2018, to February 30, 2019. Data were gathered using a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire and observational checklists. The mean age of the inmates was 36 years (±12.4) and the mean months spent in prison was 98.2 ± 15.4 months. The overall adherence to good personal hygiene practices among Gondar City Prison inmates was 54.3%, with a 95% CI of (49.4, 59.1). The number of prisoners per cell [adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 0.31; 95% CI, (0.16, 0.62)], daily water consumption [AOR, 6.78; 95% CI, (2.84, 16.15)], and good knowledge (AOR, 1.50; 95% CI, (1.23, 5.61)] were found to be significant predictors of personal hygiene practice among prison inmates. More than half of the study participants had good personal hygiene practices. Knowledge, daily water consumption, and the number of prisoners per cell were all found to be significantly associated with prisoners' personal hygiene practices. Improving the availability of water would be the best alternative way to improve the personal hygiene practices of the prisoners. Furthermore, prison inmates should be educated on proper hygiene measures and personal cleanliness to prevent the transmission of communicable diseases.

Rethinking standards on prison cell size in a (post)pandemic world: a scoping review

ObjectiveTo describe the current international, regional and national standards on prison cell spatial density and the evidence for the association between COVID-19 transmission and prison crowding measures to provide recommendations...

The Multiple Punishment of Being an Older Adult Coping With Health Problems in Prison.

Studies have examined the vulnerabilities and the extent of health problems experienced by the older adult population in prison. However, reports about the subjective experiences of incarcerated older adults who are coping with health problems are scarce. This is alarming since older adults comprise the fastest-growing demographic in the prison systems of the United States and Europe. The aim of the current study was to bring forth the voices of older adults who are living with diseases in prison and to outline the landscape of struggling with everyday health care management. An interpretive phenomenological analysis was used to analyze the narratives of 23 individuals aged 60-88 who were coping with health problems in prison. The narratives revealed 3 major themes: (1) living day to day with illness in prison: fighting prison bureaucracy and public humiliation; (2) coping with complex medical issues: lack of professional medical care and cumulative problems, and (3) what does the future hold? Fear of living with illness out of prison. Intersectionality was used as a conceptual framework for understanding the participants' narratives. The cumulative effect of belonging to systematically oppressed and marginalized groups is discussed. The research findings point to issues and experiences that are unique to older adults coping with health problems in prison and can serve as a framework for developing tailored interventions for these individuals.

A Study on the Vulnerabilities Related to Infectious Diseases in Prison and Improvement Measures

A Study on the Vulnerabilities Related to Infectious Diseases in Prison and Improvement Measures

Wastewater surveillance for rapid identification of infectious diseases in prisons

Wastewater surveillance for rapid identification of infectious diseases in prisons

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of prisoners infected and deceased by COVID-19, National Penitentiary Institute of Peru, 2020.

ObjectivesTo describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of inmates who were infected and died from COVID-19 in Peruvian prisons from April to October 2020.Material and method Descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study with a secondary data source. All the inmates who were infected and died from COVID-19 in Peruvian prisons during the study period were considered. The information was collected through the validated data collection sheet and was analyzed with descriptive statistics applying the SPSS v26 software.Results37,103 (42.3%) inmates were analyzed out of a prison population of 87,754. All of them reactive to the rapid test, with a mean age of 39.9 ± 12.6 years; 95.5% were male. 60.1% were IgG reactive; 36.1% were IgM/IgG reactive and 3.8% were IgM reactive. 20.1% of reactive inmates had COVID-19 symptoms at the time of testing. The most frequent symptoms were headache (55.6%), general malaise (49.7%), fever (49.0%) and cough (48.0%). Among the risk factors for COVID-19 were: age over 60 years (8.4%), high blood pressure (2.8%) and diabetes mellitus (2.4%). 445 deaths were registered. Total fatality reached 1.2% of the number of infected. The highest number of deaths was recorded in April and May (89 and 162, respectively).Discussion The study findings imply different approaches to managing epidemics in the prison context compared to the general population. The short and long term scenarios are uncertain, but the need to reorganize the prison health system, and to prioritise and modernise it are evident. The long-delayed reform of the prison system and the measures that set out to contain the spread of the COVID-19 disease in prisons are related processes in this regard.

Global prevalence of hepatitis C in prisoners: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV), one of the most significant causes of liver inflammation, has a high annual mortality rate. The unfavorable hygiene conditions and inadequate health monitoring in many prisons increase the risk of blood-borne infections such as hepatitis C. The growing incidence of this disease among prisoners results in overspill transmission to the general population from undiagnosed prisoners that have been released. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis C among the world's prison population. A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on the prevalence of hepatitis C was carried out using the keywords "Prevalence", "Hepatitis C", and "Prisoner" in the Iranian and international databases SID, MagIran, Iran Doc, Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science (WoS) from January 1990 to September 2020. After transferring the articles to the information management software EndNote and eliminating duplicate studies, the remaining studies were reviewed based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, three stages of primary and secondary evaluation, and qualitative evaluation. Comprehensive meta-analysis software and Begg and Mazumdar and I2 tests were used for data analysis and assessment of dissemination bias, and heterogeneity, respectively. Out of 93 studies (22 from Asia, 26 from Europe, seven from Africa, 29 from America, and nine from Australia) with a total sample size of 145,823 subjects, the prevalence of hepatitis C in prisoners worldwide was estimated to be 17.7% (95% confidence interval, 15-20.7%). The highest prevalence of hepatitis C on the continents included in this study was reported in prisoners incarcerated in Australia and Oceania, with 28.4% (95% CI: 21.6-36.4) in nine studies, and Europe, with 25.1% (95% CI: 19.4-31.8) in 26 studies. All studies used an ELISA test for the detection of HCV antibodies. The results showed a prevalence of HCV of 17.7% in prisoners worldwide, ranging between 10 and 30% over five continents (Asia, Europe, America, Africa, and Australia and Oceania). The highest prevalence was reported in Australia and Oceania (28.4%), indicating the need to pay more attention to this issue on the continent. It is necessary to reduce the incidence of the disease in prisons by appropriate policy-making and the development of accurate and practical programs, including the distribution of free syringes and examination, testing, and screening of prisoners.

Prison health priorities in Burkina Faso: a cross-sectional study in the two largest detention environments in Burkina Faso

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the factors associated with the occurrence of diseases and beriberi among prisoners incarcerated in the two largest Remand and Correctional Facilities (RCF).Design/methodology/approachThis was a cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study carried out from April 20 to May 19, 2017, in the RCFs of Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso. All prisoners who consulted and those referred to the health center by the health-care team were included in the study. Complaints and diagnosed diseases information were collected using the second version of the International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC-2). The authors used a logistic regression model to perform univariate and multivariate analyses.FindingsOf the 1,004 prisoners from the two RCFs included in the study (32.6%), 966 (96%) were male. The median age was 31.6 years. The distribution of diseases diagnosed using the ICPC-2 showed a predominance of gastrointestinal tract, skin and respiratory tract diseases among 206 (19.3%), 188 (17.6%) and 184 (17.2%) prisoners, respectively. A total of 302 prisoners (30.1%) had clinical beriberi, and 80 prisoners (8%) were underweight. Being incarcerated for more than nine months was independently associated with a high risk of digestive and respiratory diseases as well as beriberi.Research limitations/implicationsThis study highlighted higher frequencies of digestive, skin and respiratory complaints and diseases in the two largest detention centers in Burkina Faso. These diseases are variously related to age, penal status and length of incarceration. In addition, underweight and thiamin vitamin deficiency responsible for beriberi are more frequent in adult prisoners, those not attending school, convicted prisoners and those with a length of stay in detention of more than nine months. These concrete results should help define a strategy and priority actions needed to reduce morbidity in prisons.Practical implicationsThe actions should include the intervention of specialists in the field of common diseases in prisons, the improvement of individual hygiene conditions and environment, the improvement of the quality and quantity of the food ration, a strategy to reduce prison overcrowding. Other actions must be planned to allow specific groups such as women and minors to have access to health care that is adapted to them. Beyond the central concern of promoting the rights of prisoners and humanizing prisons, actions to improve the health of prisoners are part of an overall public health approach with its socio-economic and environmental implications.Social implicationsThere is a need for a strong commitment from the State to develop a prison health policy that prioritizes the prevention of communicable and non-communicable diseases that are particularly prevalent in this context, without forgetting mental health and nutrition. This requires a collaboration of stakeholders based on better intersectorial communication, the implementation of a monitoring and evaluation system for the health of prisoners, an enhancement of the status of health-care providers working in prisons and an increase in the funding allocated to the health of prisoners with the mobilization of the necessary funds.Originality/valueThis study uses a primary health care classification to assess the health of inmates in a prison in Africa. It contributes to the weak evidence around prison health surveillance and health profiling of prisoners in Africa.

Study of Skin Diseases in Incumbent Prison Inmates

Introduction: Dermatological diseases in prison is still an under-researched field and the importance of identifying and treating them promptly has recently been recognized. Skin diseases are common among prisoners especially those from developing countries due to the substandard living conditions such as overcrowding with hot and humid environment. Aims and Objectives: Our study aimed to estimate the occurrence of various dermatological diseases among prison inmates. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cohort study of inmates at Nashik Central Jail, Maharashtra was done for a duration of 6 months between February to July 2018. Results: Out of 3609 inmates, 532 inmates (461 males and 71 females) aged 23–62 years were suffering from various skin diseases. Most common skin disease were infectious dermatoses (72.18%, n=384). Amongst infections, fungal contributed to maximum cases (85.93%, n=330) of cases followed by bacterial infection (13.84%, n=53). Infestations were second most common skin disease (20.86%, n=111). Rest were less 7% of cases. Conclusion: Prison inmates are prone to develop various skin infections and infestations due to poor standard of living. They are often neglected &amp; may pose a danger of spreading skin infections among other prison inmates &amp; in the community eventually. Appropriate and adequate health policies can prevent skin disease in prison.

Managing outbreaks of highly contagious diseases in prisons: a systematic review

BackgroundThere are reports of outbreaks of COVID-19 in prisons in many countries. Responses to date have been highly variable and it is not clear whether public health guidance has been...

Immunization Coverage of Inmates in Spanish Prisons.

The correct immunization of the inmate population minimizes the risk of transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases in prisons. The objective of this study was to evaluate the vaccine coverage of long-term prisoners in the Spanish penitentiary system through a retrospective longitudinal study. One-thousand and five prisoners were selected, who were imprisoned from 2008 and 2018 in three Spanish prisons. Their degree of immunization was evaluated as related to hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV), tetanus, diphtheria, pneumococcus and seasonal flu. The state of vaccination of the prisoners with a serological diagnosis of HBV, hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was also evaluated. The vaccination coverage obtained for hepatitis B was 52.3%, and for tetanus–diphtheria, it was 71.9%. However, for hepatitis A and pneumococcus infection, it was insignificant (<2% of the prisoners). Vaccination against seasonal flu was lower than 16%. The HCV and HIV-positive inmates were not correctly vaccinated either. The insufficient level of immunization obtained reflects the lack of interest and marginalization of this population by the penitentiary system and the health authorities. The lack of reliable records is combined with the lack of planned strategies that promote stable and well-defined programs of active vaccination.

Diseases and access to treatment by the Peruvian prison population: an analysis according to gender.

ABSTRACTObjectiveIn Peru, prisons are spaces with overcrowding, deteriorated infrastructure, poor sanitary conditions and difficult access to medical treatment. The objective of this study is to estimate the burden of disease and access to treatment for different morbidities in the Peruvian inmate population.Methods An analysis of secondary data of the First National Penitentiary Census (PCNP) 2016 in Peru was carried out. The absolute frequencies and percentages of each self-reported health condition, the presence of a diagnosis of a disease before entering the prison system and access to treatment were obtained.Results74,130 inmates were included in the analysis. The most common diseases in prisons are depression (9.6%), anxiety (8.6%), chronic lung disease (8.4%) and arterial hypertension (6.9%). All diseases included, with the exception of hepatitis, have a diagnostic before the incarceration of less than 60%. Access to medical treatment was higher in women than in men and in general, mental health illnesses had low access to medical treatment.ConclusionsChronic and infectious diseases are frequent in those deprived of liberty, with mental health problems being more prevalent in women. In general, access to treatment is low, especially in men and for mental health illnesses. This situation reflects the need to develop intervention programs that promote health and increase the universality of health care in those deprived of liberty.

Managing Outbreaks of Highly Contagious Diseases in Prisons: A Systematic Review

Background: There are reports of outbreaks of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-2019) in prisons in many countries. Responses to date have been highly variable and it is not clear whether public health guidance has been informed by the best available evidence. We conducted a systematic review to synthesise the evidence on outbreaks of highly contagious diseases in prison. Methods: We searched seven electronic databases for peer-reviewed articles and official reports published between 1 January 2000 and 26 March 2020. We excluded studies that did not provide detail on interventions. We synthesized common themes using SWiM guidelines, identified gaps in the literature and critically appraised the effectiveness of various containment approaches. Findings: We identified 27 relevant studies. Investigations were all based in high-income countries and documented outbreaks of tuberculosis, influenza (types A and B), varicella, measles, mumps, and adenovirus. Several themes were common to these reports, including the public health implications of infectious disease outbreaks in prison, and the role of multi-agency collaboration, health communication, screening for contagious diseases, restriction, isolation and quarantine, contact tracing, immunisation programmes, surveillance, and prison-specific guidelines in addressing any outbreaks. Interpretation: Prisons are high-risk settings for the transmission of contagious diseases and there are considerable challenges in managing outbreaks in them. A public health approach to managing Covid-19 in prisons is required.

Prevalence of tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis; in a prison of Balochistan: a cross-sectional survey

BackgroundHuman Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis, and Tuberculosis (TB) are three primary communicable infections have the likely potential to cause severe morbidity in prison settings. The prison has the most favorable environment for the transmission of infections. We conducted this survey to determine the prevalence and feasibility of rapid diagnostic tests in an active screening of these infectious diseases in prison.MethodsThis cross-sectional survey conducted in central Jail Gaddani, one of the largest prisons in the Balochistan province of Pakistan. All prisoners, jail staffs, and staff’s family members participated. Informed consent obtained from each participant before the screening. Van equipped with digital X-ray linked with Computer-Aided Detection for TB (CAD4TB) software used for testing. Sputum samples tested on Xpert for MTB/RIF assay and blood specimens collected for HIV and hepatitis serology. Diagnosed TB patients enrolled for treatment at Basic Management Unit (BMU), reactive on hepatitis Rapid Diagnostic Tools (RDTs) were referred for further testing and management, while HIV reactive referred to Anti Retro Viral (ARV) center for Anti Retro Viral Treatment (ART).ResultsA total of 567 participants offered screening, 63% (356) prisoners, 23% (129) staff’s family members, and 14% (82) jail staffs. Among tested 10.3% (58/562) were hepatitis seropositive (Hepatitis-C 41 [7.29%] Hepatitis-B, 16 [2.84%] Hepatitis B&C both, 01 [0.17%]). In reactive participants, 49 were prisoners, 08 were jail staffs, and 01 was the staff’s family member. HIV seropositive was 4% (24/566), and all were prisoners. Almost 99% (565/567) screened by digital X-ray, 172 (30%) were with abnormal CAD4TB suggestion (score > 50), out of them sputum of 26% (148) tested on Xpert, and 2% (03) found Mycobacterium tuberculosis Positive (MTB+). A total of five TB patients were detected; out of two were diagnosed clinically. Co-morbidities observed in 15 patients, (01 TB/HIV co-infected, 12 HIV/HCV, 01 HIV/HBV, and 01 HBV/HCV).ConclusionThe high frequency of infectious diseases in prison is alarming. For limiting the transmission of infections among prison and community, immediate steps are needed to be taken for improvement of prisons condition by application of recommended screening protocols at the time of the first entry of prisoners in prisons.

Infectious diseases in post-trial detention and comparisons with pre-trial detention: A study in Geneva, Switzerland

BackgroundPrevalence rates of infectious diseases in post-trial prisons have been scarcely investigated. Due to the specific characteristics of these prison populations, these prevalence rates may differ from pre-trial prisons and more information is needed for developing adequate prevention and treatment interventions. This study compared prevalence rates of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), susceptibility to varicella zoster virus (VZV) and measles in pre- and post-trial detention. MethodsData were collected in Geneva post-trial prisons among males (n=250), including serological tests, demographics, and risk factors, and were compared to those of the Geneva pre-trial prison (n=273). Results and conclusionsIncarcerated men in post-trial detention shared a disproportionate burden of infectious diseases compared to community (chronic HBV: 5.9%, HVC: 2.8%, susceptibility to VZV: 5.9%, to measles: 4.7%). Susceptibility to VZV and prevalence rate of HCV were lower in post-trial prisons (p=.034 and p=.080). Prevalence rates of infectious diseases in prison should be interpreted in light of the prison population’s characteristics. Screening and treatment should be promoted in all types of prison settings. Since overcrowding and turnover of pre-trial prisons restrict the access to screening, prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, interventions are crucial in post-trial prisons.

Case study: Drug related problems in prison settings

Abstract Persons in prison generally have poorer physical and mental health and social well-being than their peers in the community, reporting high rates of acute and chronic physical and mental disorders, including, substance use disorders and drug related infectious diseases. People in prison report high prevalence of illicit drug use before and during incarceration and high rates of drug related infections. Acute risks for those using drugs are found in the first period after prison release. Available interventions in prison setting lower life expectancy than their peers in the community. Common risk and social factors are related to poor health and imprisonment and those two components should be addressed in a comprehensive way. The presentation will provide an overview of the last available data on drug use, drug related problems and prevalence of infectious diseases in prison in the European countries.

Результаты участия России в работе экспертной группы по тюремному здравоохранению Партнерства «Северное измерение»

The International partnership «Northern Dimension» includes states located in the northern region of the earth planet: Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Russia, Denmark, Germany, Poland and the Baltic countries. The work of the partnership «Nor-thern Dimension (ND)» covers a wide range of areas: education, culture, nuclear and environmental safety, the development of gas condensate and oil fields, health, transport, energy, science, etc. In particular, joint projects relate to the cooperation between the Northern Dimension countries in the Arctic, in the Baltic and Barents Seas, in developing of Northern Sea commercial use, the Baltic oil pipeline creation and other projects. Under the umbrella of the partnership of health and social wellbeing an independent group of experts of prison health is working since 2015.The work of this EG is headed by the elected national representative of Germany and his deputy the national representative of Latvia. The main goal of the prison health expert group work is to reduce the spread of typical diseases in prison (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted infections, cardiovascular diseases, malignoma et cetera). In 2016–2018 five meetings of the group were performed (Berlin – two meetings, Riga, Moscow, Warsaw), in four of which Russian representative made reports about the Russian prison medical care status. In these reports it has been shown that the penitentiary medicine of the Russian Federation steadily and methodically demonstrates positive changes that are reflected in the dynamics of the main intensive and extensive indicators. There is notable positive outcome of the group meetings with Russian membership. Representatives of the north European countries prison systems have received firsthand reliable information about the Russian penitentiary healthcare system status. In high level expert discussions the presented data are evaluated and responced suggested. This will undoubtedly contribute to the process of further improvement of international relations with benefits for Russian system.

Program suzbijanja tuberkuloze u Srbiji 2005-2015 - rezultati i izazovi

The most significant progress in tuberculosis (TB) control worldwide over the last two decades has been achieved through the development and implementation of World Health Organization strategies. The National TB Prevention and Control Programme in Serbia has been implemented under the Programme for Population Protection from Infectious Diseases. The goal of the programme was to reduce the incidence and mortality of TB and to reach the TB incidence rate of 14 per 100,000 in 2014. The implementation has led to achievement of the programme objective, reducing the TB incidence rate from 32/100,000 in 2005 to 13/100,000 in 2015. Capacities of the health care system to diagnose and treat TB sensitive to first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs have been strengthened, an organized system of diagnosis and treatment of drug-resistant forms of the disease was established, and management of TB and HIV coinfection was improved. The burden of the disease in prisons has been reduced, the active detection of TB cases in populations at special risk has been established, the epidemiological surveillance of TB has been improved and the surveillance has been established over the quality of professional work. However, TB prevention and management in Serbia is not yet at the level of the developed countries in the European Union. It still needs to remain on the list of public health priorities due to the presence of drug-resistant forms of the disease, the combined TB and HIV infection, the increasing number of migrants from areas with high TB burden and possible reversal of epidemiological trends during the socialeconomic crisis.