Background: TB remains a major global health problem. It is particularly prevalent in prisons in sub-Saharan Africa due to overcrowding, malnutrition, high HIV prevalence and insufficient medical services. Prisoners have experienced worse TB treatment outcomes than the general population. The researchers investigated the TB treatment outcomes and predictors of unsuccessful treatment outcomesamong prisoners and the general population in Zomba, Malawi. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed TB registers of prisoners and the general population diagnosed with TB from January 2011 to December 2016 at Zomba Maximum Central Prison and Zomba Central Hospital, Malawi. The study used routinely collected data extracted from national, standardized TB treatment monitoring tools. Successful treatment outcome was classified as the total for cured and completed treatment while unsuccessful treatment outcome was classified as the total of deaths and treatment failures. We used descriptive statistics to compare the demographics and TB treatment parameters among prisoners and nonprisoners and computed multivariate analysis to predict the independent factors of unsuccessful treatment outcomes. Results: Of 1652 registered cases, 27% were prisoners (all males) and 72% were non-prisoners (58% males). The median age was 35 years (IQR: 29-42); 76% were Pulmonary TB cases (78% among prisoners vs 75% among general population); 83% were new TB cases (77% among prisoners vs 86% among general population); and 65% were HIV positive (50% among prisoners vs 71% among general population). Regarding treatment outcome, 1472 (89%) were cured and/or completed treatment (93% among prisoners vs 88% among general population), 2(0.2%) were treatment failures, 122 (8%) died (5% among prisoners vs 8% among general population) and 55 (3%) were not evaluated (1% among prisoners vs 4% among general population). Unsuccessful TB treatment outcomes were associated with age greater than 35 years (aOR = 0.68: 95% C.I: 0.58-0.80), Extra-Pulmonary TB (aOR = 1.69: 95% C.I: 1.08-2.63) andHIV positive status (aOR = 0.63: 95% C.I: 0.42-0.94). Conclusion: Maximum prisons provide a stable population that can be easily monitored throughout the course of TB treatment. Good TB treatment outcomes which are comparable to the general population can be achieved among Malawian prisoners despite the challenging prison conditions.

Background Malaria remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the paediatric population in Malawi. Insecticide-treated bed nets are a key vector malaria control intervention, however, advancement towards universal access is progressing slowly. Malawi Malaria indicator surveys (MMIS) show diverse user preferences of bed net shape and colour. The objective of this work was to understand if bed net shape and colour preferences affect usage. Methods This is a secondary analysis of data from households that participated in the 2016–2017 MMIS. The main outcome variable was net usage defined, at net level, whether someone slept under a particular net on the night before the survey. The main exposure variables were preference attributes, whether a particular net is of a preferred colour or shape as defined by the household respondent. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done to determine the association between the exposure and outcome variables. Results A total of 3729 households with 16,755 individuals were included in this analysis. There were a total 7710 bed nets in households that participated in the survey of which 5435 (70.5%) of these nets had someone sleep under them the previous night before the survey. Bed nets that are of a preferred shape have 3.55 times higher odds of being used than those not preferred [AOR 3.55 (95% CI 2.98, 4.23; p value < 0.001)]. Bed nets that are of a preferred colour have 1.61 times higher odds of being used than those that are not of a preferred colour [AOR 1.61 (95% CI 1.41, 1.84; p value < 0.001]. Conclusions The results indicate that if a bed net is of a preferred colour or shape, it is more likely to be used. Bed net purchase by malaria stakeholders need to balance more factors on top of preferences such as price and efficacy.

Background TB remains a major global health problem. It is particularly prevalent in prisons in sub-Saharan Africa due to overcrowding, malnutrition, high HIV prevalence and insufficient medical services. Prisoners have experienced worse treatment outcomes than the general population. We investigated the TB treatment outcomes and predictors of unsuccessful treatment outcomes among prisoners and non – prisoners.Methods We retrospectively reviewed TB registers of prisoners and non - prisoners diagnosed with TB from January 2011 to December 2016 at Zomba Maximum Central Prison and Zomba Central Hospital, Malawi. The study used routinely collected data extracted from national, standardized TB treatment monitoring tools. Successful treatment outcome was classified as the total for cured and completed treatment while unsuccessful treatment outcome was classified as the total of deaths and treatment failures. We used descriptive statistics to compare the demographics and TB treatment parameters among prisoners and non – prisoners and computed multivariate analysis to predict the independent factors of unsuccessful treatment outcomes.Results Of 1652 registered cases, 27% were prisoners (all males) and 72% were non-prisoners (58% males). The median age was 35 years (IQR: 29 - 42); 76% were Pulmonary TB cases (78% among prisoners vs 75% among non-prisoners); 83% were new TB cases (77% among prisoners vs 86% among non-prisoners); and 65% were HIV positive (50% among prisoners vs 71% among non – prisoners). Regarding treatment outcome, 1472 (89%) were cured and/or completed treatment (93% among prisoners vs 88% among non – prisoners), 2(0.2%) were treatment failures, 122 (8%) died (5% among prisoners vs 8% among non – prisoners) and 55 (3%) were not evaluated (1% among prisoners vs 4% among non – prisoners). Independent factors of unsuccessful TB treatment outcomes were noted in those with age greater than 35 years (aOR = 0.68: 95% C.I: 0.58 – 0.80), Extra-Pulmonary TB (aOR=1.69: 95% C.I: 1.08 – 2.63), HIV positive status (aOR = 0.63: 95% C.I: 0.42 – 0.94).Conclusion Good TB treatment outcomes which are comparable to the general population can be achieved among Malawian prisoners despite the challenging prison conditions.

Background TB remains a major global health problem. it is particularly prevalent in prisons in sub-Saharan Africa. Prisoners have experienced worse TB treatment outcomes than the general population. The researchers investigated the TB treatment outcomes and pre d ictors of unsuccessful treatment outcomes among prisoners and the general population. Methods We retrospectively reviewed TB registers of prisoners and the general population diagnosed with TB from January 2011 to December 2016 at Zomba Maximum Central Prison and Zomba Central Hospital, Malawi. The study used routinely collected data extracted from national, standardized TB treatment monitoring tools. Successful treatment outcome was classified as the total for cured and completed treatment while unsuccessful treatment outcome was classified as the total of deaths and treatment failures. We used descriptive statistics to compare the demographics and TB treatment parameters among prisoners and non – prisoners and computed multivariate analysis to predict the independent factors of unsuccessful treatment outcomes. Results Of 1652 registered cases, 27% were prisoners (all males) and 72% were non-prisoners (58 % males). The median age was 35 years (IQR: 29 - 42); 76 % were Pulmonary TB cases (78 % among prisoners vs 75% among non-prisoners); 83 % were new TB cases (77% among prisoners vs 86% among non-prisoners); and 65 % were HIV positive (50 % among prisoners vs 71% among non – prisoners). Regarding treatment outcome, 1472 (89%) were cured and/or completed treatment (93% among prisoners vs 88 % among non – prisoners), 2 (0.2%) were treatment failures, 122 (8%) died (5 % among prisoners vs 8 % among non – prisoners) and 55 (3%) were not evaluated (1% among prisoners vs 4% among non – prisoners). Unsuccessful TB treatment outcomes were associated with age greater than 35 years (aOR = 0.68: 95% C.I: 0.58 – 0.80), Extra-Pulmonary TB (aOR=1.69: 95% C.I: 1.08 – 2.63) andHIV positive status (aOR = 0.63: 95 % C.I: 0.42 – 0.94). Conclusion Maximum prisons provide a stable population that can be easily monitored during TB treatment. Good TB treatment outcomes comparable to the general population can be achieved among prisoners despite the challenging prison conditions.

Background TB remains a major global health problem. it is particularly prevalent in prisons in sub-Saharan Africa. Prisoners have experienced worse TB treatment outcomes than the general population. The researchers investigated the TB treatment outcomes and pre d ictors of unsuccessful treatment outcomes among prisoners and the general population. Methods We retrospectively reviewed TB registers of prisoners and the general population diagnosed with TB from January 2011 to December 2016 at Zomba Maximum Central Prison and Zomba Central Hospital, Malawi. The study used routinely collected data extracted from national, standardized TB treatment monitoring tools. Successful treatment outcome was classified as the total for cured and completed treatment while unsuccessful treatment outcome was classified as the total of deaths and treatment failures. We used descriptive statistics to compare the demographics and TB treatment parameters among prisoners and non – prisoners and computed multivariate analysis to predict the independent factors of unsuccessful treatment outcomes. Results Of 1652 registered cases, 27% were prisoners (all males) and 72% were non-prisoners (58 % males). The median age was 35 years (IQR: 29 - 42); 76 % were Pulmonary TB cases (78 % among prisoners vs 75% among non-prisoners); 83 % were new TB cases (77% among prisoners vs 86% among non-prisoners); and 65 % were HIV positive (50 % among prisoners vs 71% among non – prisoners). Regarding treatment outcome, 1472 (89%) were cured and/or completed treatment (93% among prisoners vs 88 % among non – prisoners), 2 (0.2%) were treatment failures, 122 (8%) died (5 % among prisoners vs 8 % among non – prisoners) and 55 (3%) were not evaluated (1% among prisoners vs 4% among non – prisoners). Unsuccessful TB treatment outcomes were associated with age greater than 35 years (aOR = 0.68: 95% C.I: 0.58 – 0.80), Extra-Pulmonary TB (aOR=1.69: 95% C.I: 1.08 – 2.63) andHIV positive status (aOR = 0.63: 95 % C.I: 0.42 – 0.94). Conclusion Maximum prisons provide a stable population that can be easily monitored during TB treatment. Good TB treatment outcomes comparable to the general population can be achieved among prisoners despite the challenging prison conditions.

Background: TB remains a major global health problem. It is particularly prevalent in prisons in sub-Saharan Africa due to overcrowding, malnutrition, high HIV prevalence and insufficient medical services. Prisoners have experienced worse TB treatment outcomes than the general population. The researchers investigated the TB treatment outcomes and predictors of unsuccessful treatment outcomes among prisoners and the general population in Zomba, Malawi. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed TB registers of prisoners and the general population diagnosed with TB from January 2011 to December 2016 at Zomba Maximum Central Prison and Zomba Central Hospital, Malawi. The study used routinely collected data extracted from national, standardized TB treatment monitoring tools. Successful treatment outcome was classified as the total for cured and completed treatment while unsuccessful treatment outcome was classified as the total of deaths and treatment failures. We used descriptive statistics to compare the demographics and TB treatment parameters among prisoners and non – prisoners and computed multivariate analysis to predict the independent factors of unsuccessful treatment outcomes.Results : Of 1652 registered cases, 27% were prisoners (all males) and 72% were non-prisoners (58 % males). The median age was 35 years (IQR: 29 - 42); 76 % were Pulmonary TB cases (78 % among prisoners vs 75% among general population); 83 % were new TB cases (77% among prisoners vs 86% among general population); and 65 % were HIV positive (50 % among prisoners vs 71% among general population). Regarding treatment outcome, 1472 (89%) were cured and/or completed treatment (93% among prisoners vs 88 % among general population), 2 (0.2%) were treatment failures, 122 (8%) died (5 % among prisoners vs 8 % among general population) and 55 (3%) were not evaluated (1% among prisoners vs 4% among general population). Unsuccessful TB treatment outcomes were associated with age greater than 35 years (aOR = 0.68: 95% C.I: 0.58 – 0.80), Extra-Pulmonary TB (aOR=1.69: 95% C.I: 1.08 – 2.63) andHIV positive status (aOR = 0.63: 95 % C.I: 0.42 – 0.94).Conclusion: Maximum prisons provide a stable population that can be easily monitored throughout the course of TB treatment. Good TB treatment outcomes which are comparable to the general population can be achieved among Malawian prisoners despite the challenging prison conditions.