Screening reduces TB in prisons

May 22, 2013

Screening of prisoners as they join cells has reduced Tuberculosis infections in prisons, the in charge of medical services at Luzira Upper Prison Dr. Joshua Oluka has said.

By Petride Mudoola 

Screening of prisoners as they join cells has reduced Tuberculosis infections in prisons, the in charge of medical services at Luzira Upper Prison Dr. Joshua Oluka has said.
 
According to the Prisons medical service, previously, TB prevalence in prisons was estimated at 10% compared to the 6.4% national prevalence rate of which more than 100 prisoners were on TB treatment annually, however, to date only 22 inmates were    registered. 
 
The WHO Global Report released in 2010 ranked Uganda 16 among the 22 TB high burden countries and the expected case load per year was 102,000 people. Government was advised to invest in the management of tuberculosis (TB) in prisons so as to eradicate the disease.
 
In an interview with New Vision, Oluka observed that, “TB was high in prisons because interventions to reduce the disease were minimal; however, introduction of screening prisoners for TB upon entry before integrating with their colleagues has reduced the disease.”
 
According to reports from World Health Organization (WHO) Tuberculosis remains a major public health problem in Uganda with an annual incidence of 330 cases of all forms and 136 new smear positive cases per 100,000 people per year. 
 
“The determinacy of infectious diseases like tuberculosis is very prevalent in prisons due to congestion and given the fact that majority of the prisoners are poor and come from disease trodden areas.” Oluka said.
 
Oluka suggested that investment in TB treatment should consider timely diagnosis, early treatment, observing the dosage strategy, ensuring that HIV inmates are screened for TB and those with latent TB receive ionized treatment so that they don’t develop full born TB cases.
 
In order to avert further infections, the prisons medical team has further set up practices that include periodic tuberculosis tests to ensure that those infected are isolated to prevent contamination. 
 
 

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