Guards in Prisons: A Risk Group for Latent Tuberculosis Infection

AbstractTo determine the prevalence and incidence of LTBI among prison guards and to the risk factors associated with infection. Two male prisons in Medell ín and Itaguí, Colombia. A cohort study was conducted in adult prison guards that consented to participate. Exclusion criteria included: previous or current active TB, or conditions that preclude TST administration. We screened 194 guards and completed 155 TST administrations. The prevalence of LT BI was 55.8% in prison one, and 39.1% in prison two. The risk factors associated with LTBI diagnosis included drug use at least once in a lifetime (PR: 1.75; 95% CI 1.42–2.15) and male sex (PR: 2.16; 95% CI 1.01–4.62). The cumulative incidence of TST conversion over 6 months was 3.2%. All conver sions occurred in prison 1. Our findings suggest an occupational risk for LTBI prevalence and incidence among guards (different prevalence and incidence according to the prison they work).
Source: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research