Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis and associated factors among prisoners in Western Oromia, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundPrisoners are a disproportionately at high risk for tuberculosis. This is because; prisons represent dynamic communities where at-risk groups congregate. It increases the transmission rate because of overcrowding and living together with infected individuals. This study was done to determine the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis and associated factors among prisoners of Western Oromia, Ethiopia in 2017. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among prisoners who have a history of cough for two weeks or more. Data were collected from 270 participants and sputum sample was collected from 249 prisoners and analyzed in GeneXpert for having pulmonary tuberculosis. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with the development of pulmonary tuberculosis among prisoners. ResultsThe overall prevalence among suspected cases was (15.6%; 95% CI (11.5, 20)) which makes the point prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis were 744 per 100,000 of prisoners. Prisoners who had history of cigarette smoking before imprisonment (AOR=3.55; 95% CI (1.29, 9.78)), contacted with known TB patient (AOR=5.63; 95% CI (2.19, 14.41)), share prison cell with TB patients (AOR=3.51; 95% CI (1.34, 9.19)) and Body Mass Index <18.5kg/m2 (AOR=8.87; 95% CI (3.23, 24.37)) were more likely to have pulmonary tuberculosis. ConclusionA higher prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis was observed among prisoners in the three prisons of Wollega Zones. To avert this problem, screening of prisoners should be done at the entry and separation of inmates with symptoms of tuberculosis should be done.