Overview of the epidemic situation on tuberculosis in Russian prisons in 2019

Abstract

Monitoring the epidemic situation of tuberculosis in pri-sons is of great importance in the Russian and international system of monitoring tuberculosis.

Objective of the study: to monitor the epidemic situation of tuberculosis in Russian prisons. Methods. We used information from official statistics. Extensive and intensive indicators were calculated, regression analysis was used.

Results. The indicator “The proportion of people diagnosed with active tuberculosis diagnosed for the first time in their lives in penitentiary institutions in the total number of patients diagnosed with active tuberculosis for the first time in their lives” is being successfully met. In 2019 it was 7.3% with a target of 7.8%. The notification rate of new cases of tuberculosis is declining at a faster rate in correctional facilities (to 465.0 per 100,000) and at a lower rate in pre-trial detention centers (to 1251.0 per 100,000). The decline in the notification rate of new cases of tuberculosis in pre-trial detention centers may slow due to COVID-19. There is a further decrease in the prevalence of tuberculosis (to 2,677.3 per 100,000) and TB mortality (to 7.0 per 100,000). The incidence of TB/HIV among people living with HIV decreased to 2506.0 per 100,000, while ART coverage increased to 59.5%. A strong inverse correlation was found between the incidence of tuberculosis in people living with HIV and their coverage of ART (r=-0.99). The prevalence of MDR-TB has not changed over the past 3 years, amounting to 684.0 per 100,000 in 2019 with an increase in primary MDR to 32.8%.

Conclusion: the TB epidemic situation continues to improve, mainly in correctional facilities, less in pre-trial detention centers. The improvement in the epidemic situation of tuberculosis with HIV infection is associated with an increase in the coverage of people living with HIV with ART. Two multidirectional processes ensure the lack of MDR-TB dynamics: a decrease in the incidence of tuberculosis, on the one hand, and an increase in primary multidrug resistance of MBT, on the other.