Factors associated with bacterial and viral infections amongst inmates at Maula Prison
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Date
2021-03-04
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Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Abstract
Type of study: This will be a cross-sectional study using a mixed methods approach with a QUAN-QUAL design. Problem to be studied: Prisons in most sub-Saharan African countries are extremely overcrowded. Normally prisons were
constructed to maximize public safety, not to minimize the transmission of disease or to efficiently
deliver health care. Maula prison is no stranger to harsh conditions and overcrowding with an
excess of about 1,500 prisoners from its intended holding capacity. In prisons, health services are
generally poor, ill equipped and understaffed or non-existent usually with poor or no access to
prevention or treatment services. Left untreated in prison, the risk of disease transmission to family,
friends, intimate partners and other community members is likely high on leaving prison and
returning to general society. Despite the fact that prisons are acknowledged as institutions with a
high burden of infectious diseases, data on the extent and magnitude of these infections is to a
large extent unavailable and often incomplete. And Malawi, there are very limited representative
data on the burden of bacterial and viral infections in prisons. This study aims to look at factors
that are associated with Syphilis related infections at Maula amongst the prison inmates. Main objective:
To investigate factors associated with Syphilis related infections amongst Maula prison inmates. Specific Objectives:
1. To estimate the prevalence of bacterial and viral infections including skin infections and
STIs (syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea) among prison inmates.
2. To characterize the infections based on prison inmates demographic details.
3. To explore risk factors associated with the infection transmission among prison inmates. Study design:
This study will use quantitative and qualitative methods, using structured questionnaires and focus
group discussion. Study Place:
This study will be conducted at Maula maximum prison situated in Lilongwe. Study population: The study population is inmate’s aged 18-49 from clinic register at Maula Prison between the years
2018 to 2020 and some key Stuff members who have been working at Maula Prison for more than
5 years. Study period: The study duration will be from April 2019 – January 2021, this period includes the preparation
of the proposal, data collection, data analysis and dissemination. Data collection:
Secondary data will be used to collect quantitative data extracted from the clinic register
concerning all Syphilis related infections and interviews will be used to collect qualitative data
from key informants who work with the prison. Data management and analysis:
Quantitative Data shall be analyzed using SPSS and various measures of association each objective
shall be used during data analysis and these will include prevalence ratios and prevalence odds
ratios for the qualitative aspects thematic analysis will be applied. Possible Constraints:
There may be missing information from the prison clinic register which may hinder data
collection. Dissemination plans: A copy of the results will be submitted at the department and another copy will be handed over to
the prison medical facility where they will help identify certain characters of infections and how
best they can be treated to minimize their occurrences.