[Respiratory diseases in black African carceral area]

Abstract

Introduction: The measures for people in specific situations such as prisoners are part of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The objective of this study was to assess respiratory pathologies in a black African carceral center.

Methods: Retrospective study about the prevalence of respiratory pathologies in the arrest central house for men in Bamako (Mali), from May 2012 to April 2013. The admission records have served as data checking support on detainee's records. Statistical significance was investigated by the SAS 9.3 software with a threshold of 5%.

Results: Of 2740 admissions, 207 concerned respiratory pathologies (7.5%). All men, were of mean age 30±13 years (range 19-71). The respiratory diseases found were: pneumonia (33.8%), chronic bronchitis (26.6%), acute respiratory infection (14%), asthma (13.5%) and tuberculosis (5.3%). A definite diagnosis was made in 42% of cases. A tobacco intoxication was found in all age groups (CI 95%, R-square=0.01), without significant difference between the occurrence of cough in smoking and non-smoking men.

Conclusion: According to their relative frequencies, the management of respiratory diseases requires collaboration between carceral health facilities and pneumological specialized services.

Keywords: Jail; Pneumologie; Prison; Respiratory medicine; Tuberculose; Tuberculosis.