Prevalence and risk factors of tuberculosis disease in South African correctional facilities in 2015

SETTING: Sixteen South African correctional facilities. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for tuberculosis (TB) in South African correctional facilities using data collected during a TB screening program in South African correctional facilities in 2015. DESIGN: Inmates in 16 South African correctional facilities were screened for TB from January to December 2015. Inmates reporting ≥1 TB symptom or having an abnormal computer-assisted digital chest X-ray (CXR) provided sputum. Abnormal CXRs were interpreted by a radiologist. Sputum was tested for Mycobacterium tuberculosis using Xpert ® MTB/RIF. Data from 16 South African correctional facilities were used in regression analysis, and prevalence estimates calculated for 12 South African correctional facilities with >30% screening coverage. RESULTS: In 12 South African correctional facilities included in the prevalence estimates, 837 inmates had TB disease (2653/100 000) as indicated by current TB treatment or screening-identified TB by radiologist or Xpert. Previous TB was associated with increased odds of screening-identified TB in HIV-positive inmates (OR 4.3, 95%CI 2.5-7.3). For HIV-negative inmates, previous TB (adjusted OR [aOR] 4.9, 95%CI 1.7-14.1) and self-reported symptoms vs. none (1 symptom, aOR 8.8, 95%CI 1.2-67.7; >2 symptoms, aOR 21.7, 95%CI 3.0-158.8) were independently associated with increased odds of screening-identified TB. CONCLUSIONS: Routine TB screening, including CXR, is needed in South African correctional facilities to identify and refer inmates with active TB.