Clinical and Environmental Factors Associated with Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Prisoners in Northeastern Brazil

Cesario Rui Callou Filho, Caroline Antero Machado Mesquita, Ethel Esthephane Alves Vieira, João Jayme Giffoni Leite, Carina Barbosa Bandeira, Flaviano da Silva Santos and Maria Vieira de Lima Saintrain
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Cesario Rui Callou Filho: Department of Health, Collective Health Study Group (GESC), Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
Caroline Antero Machado Mesquita: Department of Health, Collective Health Study Group (GESC), Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
Ethel Esthephane Alves Vieira: Department of Health, Collective Health Study Group (GESC), Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
João Jayme Giffoni Leite: Department of Health, Metropolitan Faculty of Fortaleza, FAMETRO, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
Carina Barbosa Bandeira: Department of Medicine, Medicine Course, University of Fortaleza (UNIFOR), Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
Flaviano da Silva Santos: Department of Health, Psychology Course, University of Fortaleza (UNIFOR), Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
Maria Vieira de Lima Saintrain: Av. Washington Soares, Edson Queiroz, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil

European Journal of Medicine and Natural Sciences, 2025, vol. 8, issue 2, 87-99

Abstract: This study aimed to assess clinical and environmental factors associated with pulmonary tuberculosis in prisoners. We carried out a documentary, retrospective, epidemiological study of records of tuberculosis cases in a prison hospital in Northeastern Brazil. The sample consisted of data from medical records of prisoners diagnosed with TB from January 2015 to January 2016. Information such as age, race, marital status, education level, weight, height, harmful habits, and clinical data on mucous membrane, cough, sputum, breathing pattern, bacilloscopy, initiation and type of treatment, treatment duration, prison of origin and time spent in prison were assessed. A total of 109 medical records of prisoners were analyzed. Mean age was 28.5 (± 7.9) years, and most prisoners (n=87; 79.8 percent ) were single. In all, 78.0 percent (n=85) of the prisoners had primary education and 73.4 percent (n=80) were self-declared Pardos (mixed-race Brazilians). Statistically significant associations were found between level of education and prevalence of cough (p=.042), time in prison and presence of cough (p=.014), and BMI and mucous membrane coloration (p=.001). The habits of most prisoners are different from those expected for a good quality of life. In addition, the health conditions of prisoners also contribute to the infection. These findings emphasize the need for actions targeted at eliminating tuberculosis in prisoners and actions to raise awareness about hygiene and life habits.

Keywords: Tuberculosis; Tuberculosis in Prisons; Epidemiology; Cough. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eur:ejmnjr:167

DOI: 10.2478/ejnsm-2023-0019

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