IngentaConnect Chest radiograph screening for tuberculosis in a Hong Kong prison

Authors: Leung, C.C.¹; Chan, C.K.¹; Tam, C.M.¹; Yew, W.W.²; Kam, K.M.³; Au, K.F.¹; Tai, L.B.¹; Leung, S.M.¹; Ng, J.¹

Source: The International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Volume 9, Number 6, June 2005 , pp. 627-632(6)

Publisher: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

Abstract:

SETTING: Long-stay prisoners are not regularly screened for TB in Hong Kong.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate tuberculosis (TB) screening in prison.

METHOD: All prisoners in a maximum security prison as of 31 October 2001 were screened by chest radiograph (CXR), except for those being followed up for TB or examined by CXR in the last 6 months.

RESULTS: A total of 814 male prisoners aged 34.6 ± 9.6 (mean ± SD) years were successfully screened. Of 53 cases (6.51%) with radiographic abnormalities, 10 active TB cases (8 culture-negative, 2 culture-positive) were diagnosed, giving an overall yield of 1.23% (95%CI 0.59–2.26). There was no statistical difference in age, ethnicity, place of birth or residency status between those with and those without TB (all P > 0.05). Incarceration

2 years, being in current prison

2 years and not having CXR in last 2 years were associated with TB in univariate analysis (all P < 0.05), but only the last remained an independent predictor in multiple logistic regression (OR 16.8, 95%CI 2.1–132.9, P = 0.008). In that group, the yield was 3.1% (95%CI 1.42–5.89). No further cases were detected in the subsequent 2 years.

CONCLUSION: CXR screening of long-stay prisoners gave a high yield in this study.

Keywords: screening; tuberculosis; prison

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Department of Health, TB and Chest Service, Hong Kong, China 2: TB and Chest Unit, Grantham Hospital, Hong Kong, China 3: Department of Health, Public Health Laboratory, Hong Kong SAR, China