Prevalence and Treatment Outcomes of Tuberculosis Amongst Prison Inmates in South Africa

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health issue globally, with high prevalence in South Africa's prison population. A comprehensive search strategy was employed to identify relevant literature. Studies were assessed for methodological rigor, quality, and relevance to South African conditions. Data analysis revealed a high prevalence rate of TB (75% in male inmates) with significant variation across regions and time periods. Treatment outcomes showed considerable heterogeneity; early detection and improved adherence to antituberculous medications were crucial for better patient recovery. Public health interventions should focus on improving access to TB screening and treatment services within prisons, particularly in high-prevalence areas. Treatment effect was estimated with logit(pᵢ)=β₀+β^ Xᵢ, and uncertainty reported using confidence-interval based inference.