Thai prison successfully treats 110 tuberculosis patients, challenges remain

A prison clinic in Thailand's Nong Khai province successfully has treated 110 inmates with tuberculosis following a six-month treatment course, but the disease remains a serious health challenge in prisons throughout Thailand, the Bangkok Post reports.

According to the Post, more than 1,557 inmates in Thailand have TB, one-third of whom also are HIV-positive. In addition, there are between six and 10 cases of multi-drug resistant TB for every 100,000 inmates, compared with 1.6 cases per 100,000 people in the general population, the Post reports. The increased prevalence of MDR-TB in prisons likely is the result of overcrowding and inconsistent treatment, according to the Post.

Surasak Kosupat, a physician responsible for TB control in Nong Khai, said provincial health authorities worked with Thailand's Department of Corrections to control the spread of TB among inmates using an integrated approach that includes biweekly TB screening, assessment of inmates' medical history and DOTS. Surasak added that prisoners with TB also stay in ventilated cells for two months to prevent transmission of the disease. In addition, health workers encourage group discussions between inmates with TB and those without the disease to promote education about TB and how it spreads. "Even though they are prisoners, we have to ensure that they can stay healthy and are able to work like anyone else when they return to society," Surasak said.

According to the Post, Thailand ranks 18th on the World Health Organization's list of countries with the highest TB burdens worldwide. Of the 91,000 new TB cases reported annually in Thailand, 40,000 are active TB cases. In addition, the country diagnoses and treats successfully 72% of TB cases each year, below the WHO target of 80%, the Post reports (Apiradee, Bangkok Post, 8/24).