article · Microbiology Research Journal International
A cross-sectional study conducted between April and July 2023 examined HIV prevalence and associated risk factors among inmates at Bamenda Central Prison in Cameroon. Blood tests and questionnaires were administered to 289 male and female prisoners aged between 14 and 69 years. The findings revealed an overall HIV prevalence of 9.3 percent. Statistical analysis identified several factors linked to infection risk, including being sexually active, having a previous HIV test more than six months prior, and incarceration related to sex crimes. Other variables such as age groups over 20 years, marital status, and living in cells with fewer than five occupants also correlated with infection status. The findings indicate an urgent need for exposure-control protocols, including routine entry screening, periodic testing, and prompt treatment within correctional facilities.
Prisons are closed environments that can amplify infectious disease transmission, posing health risks both within facilities and to broader communities after inmates are released. Identifying specific infection rates and behavioural risk factors helps correctional administrators and public health authorities direct screening, medical care, and preventive education where they are needed most.
The abstract does not indicate an application pathway, as it focuses on epidemiological prevalence and public health screening recommendations rather than commercial products or technologies.
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Introduction: People in prison have multiple vulnerabilities to Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other infections. Although the number of HIV infections has decreased worldwide, this trend is high in closed settings like prisons, making the HIV pandemic a major global health problem. Aims: The drive of this study is to determine the prevalence of HIV and related risk behaviours among inmates of the Bamenda Central Prisons. Study Design: The study included inmates of all age groups, both male and female. Blood samples were used to determine the presence of HIV. Open-close, pre-tested questionnaires were administered to identify the risk factors associated with the infection. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the Bamenda Central Prison located in the Bamenda I sub-division in the Northwest Region from April to July 2023. Methodology: A total of 289 inmates of both sexes with an age range of 14-69 years took part in the study. Venous blood samples were collected to determine the prevalence of HIV, and pre-tested questionnaires were used to identify the risk factors. Data were analyzed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions. The Chi-square test was used for comparison of proportions and logistic regression were used to determine the risk factors. Variables with a p-value of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: HIV prevalence was 9.3% (27/289). A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the risk factor associated with HIV status was age group > 20years (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) =0.14; 95% CI: 0.000- 0.589: p=0.025 for 20-30 years and AOR =0.16; 95% CI: 0.25- 0.589: p = 0.032 for inmates >30 years), married inmates (AOR = 0.014; 95% CI; 0.000- 0. 756: p= 0.033), inmates who were less than 5 in a room (AOR = 0.022; 95% CI: 0.002- 0.356: p= 0.003) and sexually active inmates (p<0.05). The risk of acquiring HIV was also common among inmates imprisoned because of sex-related crimes (AOR= 31.91; 95% CI: 1.751- 581.620: p=0.19) and in those who did their previous test > 6 months ago (AOR = 348; 95% CI; 45.7- 2714.28: p= 0.000 for 6-12months and AOR = 211.9 95% CI; 12.6-3567.466: p= 0.000 for > 1year. Conclusions: A higher prevalence of 9.3% recommends urgent exposure-control measures such as routine screening at the time of entry, periodic screening of all inmates, and treatment of positive cases. The risk factors identified are areas of interventions for HIV prevention addressed not only in prisons but also in the community at large that the inmates will meet upon their release.
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DOI: 10.9734/mrji/2025/v35i41564
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