Assessment of Magnitude of Sexually Transmitted Infections, Sexual and Reproductive Health Status among Prisoners Aged Between 18-49 Years in Tabor Prison, Hawassa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Lack of access to SRH is a major public health concern, especially in developing countries. The objective of the study is to assess the magnitude of STIs and SRH status among prisoners aged between 18-49 years in Tabor prison, Hawassa, Ethiopia. A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted. Systemic random sampling technique was used and the sample size was 292. The living status of the respondents before detention ( 2 =12.8, p<0.05), maternal and paternal education ( 2 =20.6, p<0.05), and sexual health information ( 2 =11.9, p<0.05), having intercourse with multiple sexual partners (p<0.05), and STIs before imprisonment (p<0.05) had shown significant association at p<0.05 and p<0.01. The magnitude of STIs was found as 5.1% among the respondents and 30 (14.5%) respondents were HIV positive.

Seroprevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV infections among prisoners in Jimma Town, Southwest Ethiopia

“…In the current study, age, gender, marital status, duration in a prison, history of sharing shaving materials or dental extraction were not significantly associated with HIV seropositivity. This finding was similar with previously reported studies [5,11]. However, study participants with body tattoo on any part of their bodies were 9.3 times more likely to be HIV infected.…”

“…In the present study the rate of HIV infection detected was 2.6%, which is lower than previously reported rate among prisoners (6.0%) [5]. This difference might be due to the factors associated with the transmission of HIV infection in a closed prison, which put prisoners at high risk for HIV infection, like lack of condom availability or their social misbehavior before coming to prison which is different from one area to the other [3].…”

“…During imprisonment, prisoners may acquire new infections due to a scarcity of proper infrastructure, inadequate medical facilities and health professionals, poor infection control and health care systems in the prisons [5]. In Ethiopia, the epidemiology and risk factors for viral infection among prisoners are known to be different across the country.…”

Retracted: Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and associated risk behaviors in prisoners: A systematic review

“…In total, 23 studies, reported alcohol or illicit drugs abuse in their study population. 3 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 39 , 41 , 42 , 50 In regard to alcohol, nine studies reported different rates of alcohol consumption among their incarcerated participants with rates ranging from 20.7% to 81.8%. 14 , 16 , 19 , 23 , 26 , 27 , 29 , 34 , 42 In addition, 22 studies indicated illicit drug abuse in their study population ranging from 6.3% to 78.3%, 3 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 23 , 25 , 27 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , …”

“…Among these studies, three cross‐sectional studies and one RCT only used clinical questionnaires and sign and symptoms self‐reports to assess the prevalence of STDs in their inmate population. 19 , 21 , 26 , 44 While the remaining 28 studies utilized at least one laboratory diagnostic test or more to confirm and evaluate the STIs among their participants. Among these studies, four mentioned only “blood sample” in their published full‐text article and did not note the specific diagnostic test used.…”