Pulmonary Tuberculosis Among Detainees in Bertoua Prison in 2018 in Cameroon : Incidence, Screening and Overcrowding Effect

Résumé

This is a retrospective study carried out in Bertoua prison which has benefited from the medical and nutritional program of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) since 2015. We evaluated Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) incidence, PTB screening and overcrowding effect in 2018, considering Douala prison as a control. The data extraction took place over a period of three months (January to March 2019). Of the 975 and 3300 persons incarcerated on average from 1st January to 31st December 2018 in Bertoua and Douala prisons, 27 and 79 cases of PTB, including 23 and 51 new cases, were identified and diagnosed according to the good clinical practices recommended by the National Tuberculosis Control Program (NTCP). Screening at entry was symptomatic. The detection rates of PTB of inmates were 5.23% ± 0.061 against 2.39% ± 0.034 (p<0.05). The PTB incidence was 24 per 1000 population in Bertoua versus 15 per 1000 population in Doula. the rate of overcrowding was almost 4 (387.50%) higher than the theoretical capacity in Bertoua prison, It was 3 (243.75%) times higher than theoretical capacity in Douala prison; difference was not statistically significant (p> 0.05).  In spite of the interventions related to the program of ICRC, PTB incidence, screaning for PTB, and overcrowding were still major problems in the Bertoua prison. Such program may yet play an additional role in the systematic initial screening of newly introduced prisoners and the periodic screening of all prisoners. Other measures may be required to alleviate PTB burden in such settings.