Magnitude and Determinants of Latent Tuberculosis Among Inmates of Saudi Correctional Facilities: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abdulmajeed Alshowair,1 Abdullah M Assiri,2 Abdullah Hussein Balfas,3 Rakan Alkhattabi,3 Tilal Abdalla Eltegani,3 Sara Altowairib,3 Abdullah Hamed Almalki,3 Eman Ahmed Alharbi,3 Suad Alotai,3 Fahad Alobaid,3 Najeeb Saud S Altowiher3 1Community Health Excellence, Riyadh First Health Cluster Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2Preventive Health, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 3Public Health Directorate, Riyadh First Health Cluster Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Abdulmajeed Alshowair, Community Health Excellence, Riyadh First Health Cluster Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tel +966547135224, Email [email protected]: To estimate the prevalence and determinants of latent tuberculosis (LTBI) among inmates of four correctional facilities in Saudi Arabia.Methods: This is a retrospective review of health records. All inmates of four correctional facilities in Saudi Arabia were screened for tuberculosis in 2022. Their LTBI status was defined as more than 10mm Mantoux test result and negative X-ray chest result. The prevalence of LTBI and their determinants like age, gender, country of origin, location of the prison, and human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) status were studied.Results: We reviewed screening data of 10,042 inmates in four Saudi prisons. The prevalence of LTBI was 7.4%. The risk difference of LTBI was significantly higher in males compared to female inmates (P < 0.001). The highest prevalence of LTBI was noticed among males (7.7%), those older than 60 years old (26.9%), and African expatriates (12.1%). None of the female inmates or those with HIV had LTBI. The binomial regression analysis revealed a highly significant effect of older age on the risk of having LTBI.Conclusion: The prevalence of LTBI was low among inmates at Saudi correctional facilities. The males, old age, and persons from African and Asian countries had a higher risk of LTBI. The prevalence of LTBI among inmates of Saudi prisons could be predicted by knowing their age group.Keywords: tuberculosis, latent tuberculosis, inmate screening