Investigating the prevalence of tuberculosis and associated risk factors among prisoners at Peter Singogo Prison in Ndola: a retrospective cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Tuberculosis primarily affects the lungs and is influenced by risk factors such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, and crowded living conditions. Prisons can be high-risk environments for tuberculosis transmission due to overcrowding, poor ventilation, and limited access to medical care. Substance misuse and HIV infection are common among prisoners, increasing the risk of tuberculosis. The Peter Singogo Prison in Ndola, Zambia was studied to determine the prevalence of tuberculosis and its associated risk factors. Methods To ascertain the prevalence of Tuberculosis and related risk factors among inmates at Peter Singogo Prison, a retrospective cross-sectional study was done. Out of the 450 prisoners who passed screening, 220 prisoners were chosen using a purposive sampling strategy after Tuberculosis records were reviewed, considering known risk factors, Tuberculosis symptoms, and Sputum microbiology laboratory results. The collected results were then examined using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Version 23; statistical significance was recognized for a P value of less than or equal to 0.05. Results Two hundred and twenty prisoners had Tuberculosis symptoms. From these, a total of 51 prisoners (23%) had a Tuberculosis diagnoses with only 18 prisoners (35%) having a bacteriological confirmation of Tuberculosis, while 33 prisoners (65%) had a clinical diagnosis. In cases with bacteriological confirmation, the smear was positive. Human Immunodeficiency Virus positive inmates had a much greater frequency of Tuberculosis than Human Immunodeficiency Virus negative inmates (80% vs. 20%). Conclusion A significant prevalence of Tuberculosis at Peter Singogo prison was identified, with the majority of cases occurring in inmates who were Human Immunodeficiency Virus positive. The high prevalence found in this study may help to explain how Tuberculosis spreads within the prison, amongst inmates, and among different communities. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to prison environments to stop the spread of Tuberculosis to both convicts and the wider public.