State of affairs of tuberculosis in prison facilities: a systematic review of screening practices and recommendations for best TB control.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Prisoners are at high risk of developing tuberculosis (TB), causing morbidity and mortality. Prison facilities encounter many challenges in TB screening procedures and TB control. This review explores screening practices for detection of TB and describes limitations of TB control in prison facilities worldwide.

Methods

A systematic search of online databases (e.g., PubMed and Embase) and conference abstracts was carried out. Research papers describing screening and diagnostic practices among prisoners were included. A total of 52 articles met the inclusion criteria. A meta-analysis of TB prevalence in prison facilities by screening and diagnostic tools was performed.

Results

The most common screening tool was symptom questionnaires (63·5%), mostly reporting

SUBMITTER: Vinkeles Melchers NV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3556085 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature