Abstract
Background
A systematic literature review was performed to investigate the occurrence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in prisons located in countries formerly part of the Soviet Union.
Methods
A systematic search of published studies reporting MDR-TB occurrence in prisons located in former Soviet countries was conducted by probing PubMed and Cumulative Index Nursing and Allied Health Literature for articles that met predetermined inclusion criteria.
Results
Seventeen studies were identified for systematic review. Studies were conducted in six different countries. Overall, prevalence of MDR-TB among prisoners varied greatly between studies. Our findings suggest a high prevalence of MDR-TB in prisons of Post-Soviet states with percentages as high as 16 times more than the worldwide prevalence estimated by the WHO in 2014.
Conclusion
All studies suggested a high prevalence of MDR TB in prison populations in Post-Soviet states.
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Source: PLOS ONE