Self-reported tuberculosis in Ecuador’s prisons: an analysis of its prevalence and determinants in 2022
International Journal of Prison Health
ISSN: 2977-0254
Article publication date: 29 August 2024
Issue publication date: 5 December 2024
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the growing prison population in South America and the high prevalence of infectious diseases, there is limited evidence on the factors associated with self-reported tuberculosis (TB) in this population. This study aims to identify the factors associated with self-reported TB among inmates in all prisons across Ecuador.
Design/methodology/approach
The 2022 Prison Census was used. The presence of TB was self-reported based on the question: Has any doctor diagnosed you with any of the following diseases: Tuberculosis? Prevalence ratios (PR) were obtained using crude and multivariable models along with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) using a generalized linear model with random effect at the prison level to assess the association among the study variables.
Findings
The prevalence of self-reported TB was 4.7%. Socio-demographic factors (prisoners aged between 18 and 29 years and indigenous), clinical factors (human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infection, diabetes and attempted suicide) and imprisonment characteristics (re-offender, having a medical check-up on admission and being incarcerated for 6 months or more) increased the prevalence of self-reported TB compared with their counterparts.
Originality/value
This study provides a detailed understanding of the factors contributing to the prevalence of self-reported TB in the prison population of Ecuador. The findings highlight the need for strategies focused on TB control through diagnosis and treatment, management of HIV, diabetes and malnutrition, as well as the restructuring of prison facilities. Implementing these measures is crucial for addressing the identified factors and improving inmate health conditions.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Funding: Self-financed.
Ethics approval and consent to participate: The present study did not require the approval of an ethics committee because it uses data that are in the public domain, in which surveyed participants cannot be identified (www.ecuadorencifras.gob.ec/documentos/web-inec/Poblacion_y_Demografia/Censo_penitenciario%20/2023/Base_de_datos_CP_2022_v2.zip).
Competing interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
Availability of data and material: The data underlying this article are available the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC) website: www.ecuadorencifras.gob.ec/censo-penitenciario-2022/.
Citation
Hernández-Vásquez, A. and Vargas-Fernández, R. (2024), "Self-reported tuberculosis in Ecuador’s prisons: an analysis of its prevalence and determinants in 2022", International Journal of Prison Health, Vol. 20 No. 4, pp. 380-392. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPH-04-2024-0018
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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