Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Its Risk Factors among Inmates of a Ghanaian Prison

Aims: To determine the prevalence of Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) and its risk factors among prison inmates at the Ho central prison.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Ho Central Prison in the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region, between May and June 2014.
Methodology: We included 389 prisoners who were screened using the World Health Organization PTB tool. Consenting suspected PTB case-patients were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Variables collected were socio-demographic and prison-related factors. Spot and early morning sputum samples were collected from suspected case-patients for sputum smear microscopy. Prevalence of PTB and risk factors were determined. Significance level was set at 0.05.
Results: Overall, 173 (44.5%) prisoners were found to have symptoms suggestive of PTB out of which 151(87.3%) were included in the study. Of 151 prisoners included, 111 (73.5%) were able to produce sputum for SSM. Only 1(0.9%) of those tested came out as smear positive PTB. None of the potential risk factors was significantly associated with PTB.
Conclusion: Prevalence of PTB among Ho central prison inmates was low. None of the potential risk factors was significantly associated with PTB. Use of multiple diagnostic methods for PTB in future studies has been recommended.