Distribution of self-reported cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis in six penitentiary centers in Lima, Peru: A Subanalysis of the National Census of Penitentiary Population

Introduction: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) continues to be considered one of the infectious diseases, particularly affecting incarcerated individuals. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the distribution of self-reported cases of PTB in six Peruvian Penitentiary Centers (PCs) according to the level of overcrowding. The study: An observational, cross-sectional, and descriptive study was conducted using the database of the First National Penitentiary Census of 2016. Incarcerated individuals from the 6 PCs in the Lima department, which have the highest prevalence of intrapenitentiary tuberculosis nationwide, were included. Findings: The prevalence was calculated according to the level of overcrowding, categorized as low, medium, and high, with values of 4, 834, 3, 902, and 3, 039/100, 000 inhabitants, respectively. Conclusions: The distribution of PTB was predominantly homogeneous across PCs, regardless of the level of overcrowding. Self-reported cases of active PTB were present in all PC populations.