X ray screening at entry and systematic screening for the control of tuberculosis in a highly endemic prison.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major issue in prisons of low and middle income countries where TB incidence rates are much higher in prison populations as compared with the general population. In the Rio de Janeiro (RJ) State prison system, the TB control program is limited to passive case-finding and supervised short duration treatment. The aim of this study was to measure the impact of X-ray screening at entry associated with systematic screening on the prevalence and incidence of active TB. METHODS: We followed up for 2 years a RJ State prison for adult males (1429 inmates at the beginning of the study) and performed, in addition to passive case-finding, 1) two "cross-sectional" X-ray systematic screenings: the first at the beginning of the study period and the second 13 months later; 2) X-ray screening of inmates entering the prison during the 2 year study period. Bacteriological examinations were performed in inmates presenting any pulmonary, pleural or mediastinal X-ray abnormality or spontaneously attending the prison clinic for symptoms suggestive of TB. RESULTS: Overall, 4326 X-rays were performed and 246 TB cases were identified. Prevalence among entering inmates remained similar during 1st and the 2nd year of the study: 2.8% (21/754) and 2.9% (28/954) respectively, whereas prevalence decreased from 6.0% (83/1374) to 2.8% (35/1244) between 1st and 2nd systematic screenings (p < 0.0001). Incidence rates of cases identified by passive case-finding decreased from 42 to 19 per 1000 person-years between the 1st and the 2nd year (p < 0.0001). Cases identified by screenings were less likely to be bacteriologically confirmed as compared with cases identified by passive-case finding. CONCLUSIONS: The strategy investigated, which seems highly effective, should be considered in highly endemic confined settings such as prisons.

COVID-19 in prisons: what telejournalism (not) showed - a study on the criteria for newsworthiness during the pandemic. / COVID-19 nas prisões: o que o telejornalismo (não) mostrou - um estudo sobre os critérios de noticiabilidade na pandemia.

To analyze the news coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazilian prisons and its visibility, 213 articles broadcast between March and December 2020 were examined, found in the search service of the digital streaming video platform Globoplay. Most aired in March, April and July, with the theme almost disappearing in subsequent months. The reports, on numbers of deaths or infections, prevention measures and house arrest or freedom for groups at risk of COVID-19 were mainly published in local telejournals. Health agencies were barely heard. Of the 19 news items presented nationally, 12 address "famous prisoners" and the legibility of house arrest or freedom for groups at risk of COVID-19 unfavorable outcome. The health guidelines and the guarantee of the right to health of persons deprived of liberty were limited to the difficulties in implementing protection measures in prisons and to sustaining the need for restrictive measures to move inside prisons and in exchanges with the outside, to limit the circulation of the virus. In general, the form and visibility given to the topic do not contribute to broadening the viewers' perception of the sanitary conditions in prisons and the fact that health is a right for all, without any distinction.

Para analisar a cobertura telejornalística da pandemia de COVID-19 nas prisões brasileiras e sua visibilidade, foram examinadas 213 matérias veiculadas entre março e dezembro de 2020, encontradas no serviço de buscas da plataforma digital de vídeos por streaming Globoplay. A maior parte foi ao ar em março, abril e julho, com importante redução nos meses subsequentes. As reportagens, sobre números de mortes ou infectados, medidas de prevenção e prisão domiciliar ou liberdade para grupos de risco da COVID-19, foram divulgadas principalmente nos jornais locais. Os órgãos de saúde quase não foram ouvidos. Das 19 notícias apresentadas nacionalmente, 12 abordam os "presos famosos" e a legitimidade da prisão domiciliar ou a liberdade para grupos de risco da COVID-19. As pautas sanitárias e de garantia do direito à saúde das pessoas privadas de liberdade ficaram limitadas às dificuldades para a efetivação nos presídios das medidas de proteção e a sustentar a necessidade de medidas restritivas à movimentação no interior das prisões e nos intercâmbios com o exterior para limitar a circulação do vírus. Em geral, a forma e a visibilidade dadas ao tema não contribuem para ampliar a percepção dos telespectadores sobre as condições sanitárias das prisões e o fato de que a saúde é um direito de todos, sem qualquer distinção.

[Mortality and causes of deaths in prisons in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil]. / Mortalidade e causas de óbitos nas prisões do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.

Mortality in prisons, a basic indicator of the right to health for incarcerated persons, has never been studied extensively in Brazil. An assessment of all-cause and cause-specific mortality in prison inmates was conducted in 2016-2017 in the state of Rio de Janeiro, based on data from the Mortality Information System and Prison Administration. Mortality rates were compared between prison population and general population after standardization. The leading causes of death in inmates were infectious diseases (30%), cardiovascular diseases (22%), and external causes (12%). Infectious causes featured HIV/AIDS (43%) and TB (52%, considering all deaths with mention of TB). Only 0.7% of inmates who died had access to extramural health services. All-cause mortality rate was higher among prison inmates than in the state's general population. Among inmates, mortality from infectious diseases was 5 times higher, from TB 15 times higher, and from endocrine diseases (especially diabetes) and cardiovascular diseases 1.5 and 1.3 times higher, respectively, while deaths from external causes were less frequent in prison inmates. The study revealed important potentially avoidable excess deaths in prisons, reflecting lack of care and exclusion of this population from the Brazilian Unified National Health System. This further highlights the need for a precise and sustainable real-time monitoring system for deaths, in addition to restructuring of the prison staff through implementation of the Brazilian National Policy for Comprehensive Healthcare for Persons Deprived of Freedom in the Prison System in order for inmates to fully access their constitutional right to health with the same quality and timeliness as the general population.

A mortalidade nas prisões, indicador fundamental do direito à saúde das pessoas privadas de liberdade (PPL), nunca foi estudada de maneira aprofundada no Brasil. A avaliação da mortalidade global e por causas entre PPL encarceradas em 2016-2017 no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, foi realizada a partir de dados do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade e da Administração Penitenciária. Taxas de mortalidade entre PPL e população geral do estado foram comparadas após padronização. As principais causas de morte entre PPL foram doenças infecciosas (30%), doenças do aparelho circulatório (22%) e causas externas (12%). Dentre as causas infecciosas, destacam-se HIV/aids (43%) e tuberculose (TB) (52% se considerados todos os óbitos com menção de TB). Somente 0,7% das PPL que faleceram tiveram acesso a serviço de saúde extramuros. A taxa global de mortalidade foi maior entre as PPL comparadas à população geral do estado, com mortalidade por doenças infecciosas 5 vezes superior, por TB 15 vezes e por doenças endócrinas, especialmente diabetes, e doenças circulatórias (1,5 e 1,3 vez, respectivamente), enquanto mortes por causa externa foram menos frequentes entre PPL. Este estudo mostra um expressivo excesso de mortes potencialmente evitáveis nas prisões, o que traduz importante desassistência e exclusão dessa população do Sistema Único de Saúde. Evidencia a necessidade de um sistema de monitoramento, em tempo real, dos óbitos, preciso e sustentável, além da reestruturação da saúde prisional por meio da efetivação da Política Nacional de Atenção Integral à Saúde das Pessoas Privadas de Liberdade no Sistema Prisional para que as PPL usufruam do direito constitucional à saúde em sua integralidade, com a mesma qualidade e tempestividade oferecida à população geral.

La mortalidad en las prisiones, indicador fundamental del derecho a la salud de personas privadas de libertad (PPL), nunca se estudió profundamente en Brasil. La evaluación de la mortalidad global y por causas entre PPL, encarceladas en 2016-2017 en el estado de Rio de Janeiro, se realizó a partir de datos del Sistema de Información de Mortalidad y la Administración Penitenciaria. Se compararon las tasas de mortalidad entre PPL y población general del estado tras la estandarización. Las principales causas de muerte entre PPL fueron: enfermedades infecciosas (30%), enfermedades del aparato circulatorio (22%) y causas externas (12%). Entre las causas infecciosas, se destacan VIH/sida (43%) y tuberculosis (TB) (52%, si se consideran todos los óbitos con mención TB). Solamente un 0,7% de las PPL que fallecieron tuvieron acceso a un servicio de salud extramuros. La tasa global de mortalidad fue mayor entre las PPL, comparada con la población general del estado. Entre las PPL, la mortalidad por enfermedades infecciosas fue 5 veces superior, por TB 15 veces, y por enfermedades endocrinas, especialmente diabetes, y enfermedades circulatorias (1,5 y 1,3 veces respectivamente), mientras que las muertes por causa externa fueron menos frecuentes entre PPLs. Este estudio muestra un expresivo exceso de muertes potencialmente evitables en las prisiones, lo que se traduce en una importante desasistencia y la exclusión de esta población del Sistema Único de Salud. Pone en evidencia la necesidad de un sistema de supervisión en tiempo real de los óbitos, preciso y sostenible, además de la reestructuración de la salud en las prisiones, mediante la efectivización de la Política Nacional de Atención Integral a la Salud de las Personas Privadas de Libertad en el Sistema Penitenciario para que las PPLs disfruten del derecho constitucional a la salud en su integridad, con la misma calidad y oportunidad ofrecida a la población general.

A public policy approach to local models of HIV/AIDS control in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated involvement and cooperation patterns of local Brazilian AIDS program actors and the consequences of these patterns for program implementation and sustainability. METHODS: We performed a public policy analysis (documentary analysis, direct observation, semistructured interviews of health service and nongovernmental organization [NGO] actors) in 5 towns in 2 states, São Paulo and Pará. RESULTS: Patterns suggested 3 models. In model 1, local government, NGOs, and primary health care services were involved in AIDS programs with satisfactory response to new epidemiological trends but a risk that HIV/AIDS would become low priority. In model 2, mainly because of NGO activism, HIV/AIDS remained an exceptional issue, with limited responses to new epidemiological trends and program sustainability undermined by political instability. In model 3, involvement of public agencies and NGOs was limited, with inadequate response to epidemiological trends and poor mobilization threatening program sustainability. CONCLUSIONS: Within a common national AIDS policy framework, the degree of involvement and cooperation between public and NGO actors deeply impacts population coverage and program sustainability. Specific processes are required to maintain actor mobilization without isolating AIDS programs.

Tuberculosis behind bars in developing countries: a hidden shame to public health.

In developing countries, prisons do not have adequate healthcare systems. The problem is particularly acute for tuberculosis (TB) and is exacerbated by crowding and HIV infection. Improved passive TB detection is a priority for control, but in highly endemic prisons mass screening may be needed to obtain a more rapid decrease in incidence. The provision of health care in prisons is made more difficult by social conditions within prisons and the political climate in which they operate. International guidelines seem to be largely ignored.

Reimbursement of malaria chemoprophylaxis for travellers from Europe to Sub-Saharan Africa: Cost-effectiveness analysis from the perspective of the French national health insurance system.

Among Western countries, France has the highest incidence of imported malaria cases, mostly from travellers visiting Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite related high costs of imported malaria assumed by the public French national health insurance system (FHS), the latter does not reimburse travellers for malaria chemoprophylaxis (MC). This study aims to analyzes, from the FHS perspective, the cost-effectiveness of a 65% reimbursement of MC costs (MC 65%) for French resident travellers, under the assumption that this reimbursement would lead to increased recourse to MC. For that purpose, a decision tree model was developed with variables obtained from the literature, including incidence of malaria among travellers in the absence of MC, probabilities of recourse to MC, MC effectiveness and costs and medical expenses for a case of imported malaria. Data analysis of 1,434,675 travellers to SSA in 2005 estimated, for MC 65% vs. MC 0%, incidence of malaria cases to be 3836 malaria cases (21 deaths)/year vs. 6321 cases (34 deaths)/year, respectively, and cost of Euro 47,071,687/year vs. Euro 17,416,955/year. Incremental cost of MC 65% related to MC 0% was Euro 11,933 per malaria case prevented and Euro 2,281,133 per malaria-related death prevented. Results generated by this model, which can be adapted for other European countries, should be an incentive for the FHS to favourably consider MC 65% for French residents travelling to SSA.

Impacto da epidemia de COVID-19 na mortalidade em prisões / Impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on mortality in prisons

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é avaliar o impacto da COVID-19 na mortalidade das pessoas privadas de liberdade (PPL) no estado do Rio de Janeiro e comparar as taxas observadas com as da população geral. Estudo quantitativo, retrospectivo, que associa análise de série histórica 2016-2021 de taxa anual de mortalidade, seccional, comparando 2016-2017 vs. 2020-2021 e análise de dados individuais obtidos a partir de fontes primárias e secundárias de informação. A razão de mortalidade padronizada entre PPL e população geral foi estimada para os grupos de causa. Série histórica mostrou queda anual (13%) da mortalidade de 2016 a 2019, tendência que se inverteu em 2020 devido à COVID-19, responsável por 20% do total de mortes. Das PPL que morreram por COVID-19, 54,8% eram idosas e/ou portadoras de comorbidade. A mortalidade por COVID-19 foi semelhante entre a PPL e a população geral, mas a mortalidade por tuberculose e HIV permaneceu muito mais elevada entre as PPL. A pandemia foi provavelmente determinante para a reversão da tendência de queda na mortalidade observada entre 2016 e 2019. A utilização da mortalidade como indicador de saúde e direitos humanos nas prisões por órgãos de saúde, justiça e organizações da sociedade civil implica o aprimoramento da informação sobre PPL no SIM.

Abstract Purpose: to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the mortality of people deprived of their liberty (PDL) in the state of Rio de Janeiro and compare the rates observed with those of the general population. Method: quantitative, retrospective study combining the analysis of the 2016-2021 time series of annual mortality rates, cross-sectional study comparing 2016-2017 vs. 2020-2021 and analysis of individual data obtained from primary and secondary sources of information. The standardized mortality ratio between PDL and the general population was estimated for the cause of death categories. Results: historical series showed an annual drop (13%) in mortality from 2016 to 2019, a trend that was inverted in 2020 due to COVID-19, which was responsible for 20% of all deaths. Of the COVID-19 deaths, 54.8% were elderly and/or had co-morbidities. Mortality from COVID-19 was similar between PDL and the general population, but mortality from tuberculosis and HIV remained much higher among PDL. Conclusion: the pandemic was probably a determinant of the downward trend reversal in mortality between 2016 and 2019. Using mortality as an indicator of health and human rights in prisons by health, justice and civil society organizations implies the improvement of information about PDL in the SIM.

[Tuberculosis in Rio de Janeiro prisons, Brazil: an urgent public health problem]. / A tuberculose nas prisões do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil: uma urgência de saúde pública.

The tuberculosis incidence rate in prisons in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, was 30 times higher in 2004 than in the general population and is probably underestimated, particularly given the difficult access to care in the prison setting. To obtain a better estimate, a survey used systematic X-ray screening and showed a prevalence rate of 4.6% in one such detention facility, A (n = 1,052). Two additional surveys, in facilities B (n = 590) and C (n = 1,372), showed even higher prevalence rates (6.3% and 8.6% respectively). A comparison of socio-demographic characteristics between A, B, and C showed a heterogeneous prison population. As compared to facility A, inmates in B and C come from poorer urban communities and have more frequent histories of incarceration and tuberculosis. These differences, consistent with the prevalence data, imply the necessary adaptation of tuberculosis control programs to each detention facility's epidemiological and socio-demographic profile.

COVID-19 nas prisões: o que o telejornalismo (não) mostrou - um estudo sobre os critérios de noticiabilidade na pandemia / COVID-19 in prisons: what telejournalism (not) showed - a study on the criteria for newsworthiness during the pandemic

Resumo Para analisar a cobertura telejornalística da pandemia de COVID-19 nas prisões brasileiras e sua visibilidade, foram examinadas 213 matérias veiculadas entre março e dezembro de 2020, encontradas no serviço de buscas da plataforma digital de vídeos por streaming Globoplay. A maior parte foi ao ar em março, abril e julho, com importante redução nos meses subsequentes. As reportagens, sobre números de mortes ou infectados, medidas de prevenção e prisão domiciliar ou liberdade para grupos de risco da COVID-19, foram divulgadas principalmente nos jornais locais. Os órgãos de saúde quase não foram ouvidos. Das 19 notícias apresentadas nacionalmente, 12 abordam os "presos famosos" e a legitimidade da prisão domiciliar ou a liberdade para grupos de risco da COVID-19. As pautas sanitárias e de garantia do direito à saúde das pessoas privadas de liberdade ficaram limitadas às dificuldades para a efetivação nos presídios das medidas de proteção e a sustentar a necessidade de medidas restritivas à movimentação no interior das prisões e nos intercâmbios com o exterior para limitar a circulação do vírus. Em geral, a forma e a visibilidade dadas ao tema não contribuem para ampliar a percepção dos telespectadores sobre as condições sanitárias das prisões e o fato de que a saúde é um direito de todos, sem qualquer distinção.

Abstract To analyze the news coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazilian prisons and its visibility, 213 articles broadcast between March and December 2020 were examined, found in the search service of the digital streaming video platform Globoplay. Most aired in March, April and July, with the theme almost disappearing in subsequent months. The reports, on numbers of deaths or infections, prevention measures and house arrest or freedom for groups at risk of COVID-19 were mainly published in local telejournals. Health agencies were barely heard. Of the 19 news items presented nationally, 12 address "famous prisoners" and the legibility of house arrest or freedom for groups at risk of COVID-19 unfavorable outcome. The health guidelines and the guarantee of the right to health of persons deprived of liberty were limited to the difficulties in implementing protection measures in prisons and to sustaining the need for restrictive measures to move inside prisons and in exchanges with the outside, to limit the circulation of the virus. In general, the form and visibility given to the topic do not contribute to broadening the viewers' perception of the sanitary conditions in prisons and the fact that health is a right for all, without any distinction.

Prevalence of syphilis and HIV infection during pregnancy in incarcerated women and the incidence of congenital syphilis in births in prison in Brazil.

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of syphilis and HIV infection during pregnancy, the mother to child transmission of syphilis and the incidence of congenital syphilis in incarcerated women in Brazil; to compare these rates to those observed in pregnant women outside of jail; and to verify the maternal factors associated with syphilis infection during pregnancy in free and incarcerated women. We used data from two nationwide studies conducted during the period 2011-2014. The Birth in Brazil study included 23,894 free women cared for in 266 hospitals. The Maternal and Infant Health in Prisons study included 495 incarcerated pregnant women or mothers living with their children, according to a census conducted in 33 female prisons. The same case definitions and data collection methods were used in both studies. The chi-square test was used to compare the characteristics of incarcerated and free women with a significance of 0.05. For incarcerated women, the estimated prevalence of syphilis during pregnancy was 8.7% (95%CI: 5.7-13.1) and for HIV infection 3.3% (95%CI: 1.7-6.6); the estimated mother to child transmission of syphilis was 66.7% (95%CI: 44.7-83.2) and the incidence of congenital syphilis was 58.1 per 1,000 living newborns (95%CI: 40.4-82.8). Incarcerated women had a greater prevalence of syphilis and HIV infection during pregnancy, lower quality of antenatal care and higher levels of social vulnerability. Syphilis infection showed to be an indicator of social vulnerability in free women, but not in incarcerated women. Health initiatives in prison are necessary to reduce healthcare inequalities and should include adequate antenatal and birth care.

Tuberculosis control in prisons, from research to action: the Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, experience. / Controle da tuberculose nas prisões, da pesquisa à ação: a experiência do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.

The high tuberculosis (TB) rates observed in the Brazilian prison population highlights the need for more efficient TB control measures in this population, especially in the state of Rio de Janeiro where detection rates are 30 times higher than in the general population. We present results of epidemiological, biomathematics modelling, molecular biology, psychosocological, architectural and juridical studies carried out in this state in order to assess the situation and to develop TB control strategies adapted to the specificities of the prison context. The implementation of these strategies implies to take into account the day-to-day realty of prison life and to turn more effective the supervision of the prison health system by instances in charge of monitoring the fulfillment of sentences, so as to guarantee access of prisoners to health in conformity with international and national laws.

Women's reproductive rights in the penitentiary system: tensions and challenges in the transformation of reality. / Direitos reprodutivos das mulheres no sistema penitenciário: tensões e desafios na transformação da realidade.

This article seeks to identify and discuss violations and challenges to the fulfillment of women's reproductive rights in situations of deprivation of liberty, with an emphasis on sexual and reproductive health. Regulatory parameters were considered as analytical frameworks that support these rights identified by the literature, and the discourses and practices linked to their effectiveness in the everyday life of prisons, collected in interviews with pregnant women and children in prisons, and the professionals whose practices interfere with the exercise of these rights. It was discovered that violations of these rights find support in speech that delegitimizes the motherhood of these women. We consider the use of rights as strategic in the struggle for the transformation of this situation.

Análise crítica do modelo de atenção à saúde das pessoas privadas de liberdade no Brasil / Critical analysis of the health care model for persons deprived of liberty in Brazil / Análisis crítica del modelo de atención de la salud para personas privadas de libertad en Brasil

Objetivo: a universalidade e a integralidade do direito à saúde devem ser garantidas no contexto prisional como princípios constitucionais. A pesquisa teve como objeto o conjunto de leis e portarias construídas sobre o tema por mais de trinta anos, a fim de analisar criticamente o modelo de atenção à saúde das pessoas privadas de liberdade no sistema prisional, a partir do levantamento normativo, sua cronologia e hierarquia. Metodologia: o estudo qualitativo documental utilizou as bases de dados da Presidência da República, Câmara dos Deputados, Senado Federal e Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde do Ministério da Saúde, para identificar normas vigentes que envolvem as questões do sistema de saúde no âmbito penal e de atenção aos presos propriamente dita. Resultados: foram analisadas 11 normas federais, de acordo com seus fundamentos e definição de parâmetros de implementação pelos órgãos de segurança e de saúde. Destacam-se o Plano Nacional de Saúde no Sistema Penitenciário e a Política Nacional de Atenção Integral à Saúde das Pessoas Privadas de Liberdade no Sistema Prisional (PNAISP). Conclusão: são urgentes medidas efetivas intersetoriais dispostas a modificar o quadro de violência institucional e iniquidades nas unidades prisionais, em um processo de corresponsabilização, por meio da Rede Atenção à Saúde, segundo os parâmetros do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS).

Objective: the universality and comprehensiveness of the right to health must be guaranteed in the prison context as constitutional principles. The research had as its object the set of laws and regulations built about this theme over more than thirty years. The purpose was to critically analyze the health care model of persons deprived of liberty in the prison system, based on the normative survey, its chronology and hierarchy. Methods: the qualitative documentary study used the databases of Federal Government, Chamber of Representatives, Federal Senate, and Virtual Health Library of the Ministry of Health, to identify current norms that involve issues of the health system in the criminal scope and care to arrested people. Results: eleven federal norms were analyzed, according to their fundamentals and definition of implementation parameters by the security and health agencies. The National Health Plan in the Penitentiary System and the National Policy for Comprehensive Health Care for Persons Deprived of Liberty in the Prison System (PNAISP) are highlighted. Conclusion: effective intersectoral measures are urgent to change the situation of institutional violence and inequities in prisons, in a process of co-responsibility, through the health care network, according to the parameters of the Unified Health System (SUS).

Introducción: la universalidad e integralidad del derecho a la salud debe garantizarse en el contexto penitenciario como principios constitucionales. La investigación tuvo como objeto el conjunto de leyes y ordenanzas construidas sobre el tema durante más de treinta años. El objetivo fue analizar críticamente el modelo de atención a la salud de las personas privadas de libertad en las prisiones, a partir de la encuesta normativa, su cronología y jerarquía. Metodología: el estudio documental cualitativo utilizó las bases de datos de la Presidencia, Cámara de Diputados, Senado Federal y Biblioteca Virtual en Salud del Ministerio de Salud, para identificar las normas vigentes que involucran temas del sistema de salud en el ámbito penal y atención a los reclusos. Resultados: se analizaron 11 normas federales, según sus fundamentos y definición de parámetros de implementación por parte de los organismos de seguridad y salud. Destacan el Plan Nacional de Salud en el Sistema Penitenciario y la Política Nacional de Atención Integral de Salud a las Personas Privadas de Libertad en el Sistema Penitenciario (PNAISP). Conclusión: existe una urgente necesidad de medidas intersectoriales efectivas dispuestas a modificar la situación de violencia institucional e inequidades en las unidades penitenciarias, en un proceso de corresponsabilidad, a través de la Red de Salud, de acuerdo con los parámetros del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS).

Mortalidade e causas de óbitos nas prisões do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil / Mortality and causes of deaths in prisons in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Mortalidad y causas de óbitos en las prisiones de Río de Janeiro, Brasil

Resumo: A mortalidade nas prisões, indicador fundamental do direito à saúde das pessoas privadas de liberdade (PPL), nunca foi estudada de maneira aprofundada no Brasil. A avaliação da mortalidade global e por causas entre PPL encarceradas em 2016-2017 no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, foi realizada a partir de dados do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade e da Administração Penitenciária. Taxas de mortalidade entre PPL e população geral do estado foram comparadas após padronização. As principais causas de morte entre PPL foram doenças infecciosas (30%), doenças do aparelho circulatório (22%) e causas externas (12%). Dentre as causas infecciosas, destacam-se HIV/aids (43%) e tuberculose (TB) (52% se considerados todos os óbitos com menção de TB). Somente 0,7% das PPL que faleceram tiveram acesso a serviço de saúde extramuros. A taxa global de mortalidade foi maior entre as PPL comparadas à população geral do estado, com mortalidade por doenças infecciosas 5 vezes superior, por TB 15 vezes e por doenças endócrinas, especialmente diabetes, e doenças circulatórias (1,5 e 1,3 vez, respectivamente), enquanto mortes por causa externa foram menos frequentes entre PPL. Este estudo mostra um expressivo excesso de mortes potencialmente evitáveis nas prisões, o que traduz importante desassistência e exclusão dessa população do Sistema Único de Saúde. Evidencia a necessidade de um sistema de monitoramento, em tempo real, dos óbitos, preciso e sustentável, além da reestruturação da saúde prisional por meio da efetivação da Política Nacional de Atenção Integral à Saúde das Pessoas Privadas de Liberdade no Sistema Prisional para que as PPL usufruam do direito constitucional à saúde em sua integralidade, com a mesma qualidade e tempestividade oferecida à população geral.

Abstract: Mortality in prisons, a basic indicator of the right to health for incarcerated persons, has never been studied extensively in Brazil. An assessment of all-cause and cause-specific mortality in prison inmates was conducted in 2016-2017 in the state of Rio de Janeiro, based on data from the Mortality Information System and Prison Administration. Mortality rates were compared between prison population and general population after standardization. The leading causes of death in inmates were infectious diseases (30%), cardiovascular diseases (22%), and external causes (12%). Infectious causes featured HIV/AIDS (43%) and TB (52%, considering all deaths with mention of TB). Only 0.7% of inmates who died had access to extramural health services. All-cause mortality rate was higher among prison inmates than in the state's general population. Among inmates, mortality from infectious diseases was 5 times higher, from TB 15 times higher, and from endocrine diseases (especially diabetes) and cardiovascular diseases 1.5 and 1.3 times higher, respectively, while deaths from external causes were less frequent in prison inmates. The study revealed important potentially avoidable excess deaths in prisons, reflecting lack of care and exclusion of this population from the Brazilian Unified National Health System. This further highlights the need for a precise and sustainable real-time monitoring system for deaths, in addition to restructuring of the prison staff through implementation of the Brazilian National Policy for Comprehensive Healthcare for Persons Deprived of Freedom in the Prison System in order for inmates to fully access their constitutional right to health with the same quality and timeliness as the general population.

Resumen: La mortalidad en las prisiones, indicador fundamental del derecho a la salud de personas privadas de libertad (PPL), nunca se estudió profundamente en Brasil. La evaluación de la mortalidad global y por causas entre PPL, encarceladas en 2016-2017 en el estado de Rio de Janeiro, se realizó a partir de datos del Sistema de Información de Mortalidad y la Administración Penitenciaria. Se compararon las tasas de mortalidad entre PPL y población general del estado tras la estandarización. Las principales causas de muerte entre PPL fueron: enfermedades infecciosas (30%), enfermedades del aparato circulatorio (22%) y causas externas (12%). Entre las causas infecciosas, se destacan VIH/sida (43%) y tuberculosis (TB) (52%, si se consideran todos los óbitos con mención TB). Solamente un 0,7% de las PPL que fallecieron tuvieron acceso a un servicio de salud extramuros. La tasa global de mortalidad fue mayor entre las PPL, comparada con la población general del estado. Entre las PPL, la mortalidad por enfermedades infecciosas fue 5 veces superior, por TB 15 veces, y por enfermedades endocrinas, especialmente diabetes, y enfermedades circulatorias (1,5 y 1,3 veces respectivamente), mientras que las muertes por causa externa fueron menos frecuentes entre PPLs. Este estudio muestra un expresivo exceso de muertes potencialmente evitables en las prisiones, lo que se traduce en una importante desasistencia y la exclusión de esta población del Sistema Único de Salud. Pone en evidencia la necesidad de un sistema de supervisión en tiempo real de los óbitos, preciso y sostenible, además de la reestructuración de la salud en las prisiones, mediante la efectivización de la Política Nacional de Atención Integral a la Salud de las Personas Privadas de Libertad en el Sistema Penitenciario para que las PPLs disfruten del derecho constitucional a la salud en su integridad, con la misma calidad y oportunidad ofrecida a la población general.

Birth in prison: pregnancy and birth behind bars in Brazil. / Nascer na prisão: gestação e parto atrás das grades no Brasil.

The high vulnerability of incarcerated women is worsened when they are pregnant and give birth during imprisonment. This article traces the profile of incarcerated women living with their children in female prison units of the capitals and metropolitan regions of Brazil and describes pregnancy and childbirth conditions and healthcare practices while in incarceration. This study is an analysis of a series of cases resultant from a national census conducted between August 2012 and January 2014. This analysis included 241 mothers. Of these, 45% were younger than 25 years old, 57% were dark skinned, 53% had studied less than eight years and 83% were multiparous. At the time of incarceration, 89% were already pregnant and two thirds did not want the current pregnancy. Access to prenatal care was inadequate for 36% of the women. During their hospital stay, 15% referred to having suffered some type of violence (verbal, psychological, or physical). Only 15% of the mothers rated the care received during their hospital stay as excellent. They had low social/familial support and more than one third reported the use of handcuffs during their hospital stay. Incarcerated mothers received poorer healthcare during pregnancy and birth when compared with non-incarcerated users of the public sector. This study also found violations of human rights, especially during birth.

[Motherhood behind bars: the struggle for citizens' rights and health for women inmates and their children in Brazil]. / Maternidade atrás das grades: em busca da cidadania e da saúde. Um estudo sobre a legislação Brasileira.

This study analyzes the links between health, rights, legislation, and public policies based on document research on legal safeguards for women and their children residing in prison. The research was conducted at the Federal level and in four States of Brazil: Rio Grande do Sul, Mato Grosso, Paraná, and São Paulo. The study aims to back measures by public agencies to guarantee such rights and to raise awareness of the problem, given the extreme vulnerability of women inmates and their children and the issue's legal and administrative invisibility. The authors identified 33 different legal provisions as points of tension, such as the possibility of house arrest and disparities in the terms and conditions for children to remain inside the prison system. Various provisions cite the Constitutional guarantee of women inmates' right to breastfeed in prison. Meanwhile, the study found gaps in other issues pertaining to motherhood in prison, expressed as dual incarceration (imprisonment arbitrarily extended to their children). It is necessary to expand and enforce the existing legislation to prevent such violations of rights.

Community study of the relative impact of HIV-1 and HIV-2 on intrathoracic tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: HIV-1 infection is associated with an increased incidence of and mortality from tuberculosis. Few community studies have examined the effect of HIV-2 on tuberculosis. METHODS: We investigated the association between HIV-1, HIV-2 and active tuberculosis in four districts (population 42 709) in Bissau, capital of Guinea-Bissau, with the highest known seroprevalence of HIV-2 infection in the world. From May 1996 to June 1998, tuberculosis surveillance and active case finding among contacts was conducted. Patients were HIV-tested, given specific tuberculosis treatment for 8 months and followed regarding mortality. Simultaneously, an HIV sero-survey was performed in a random sample of 1748 permanent residents. RESULTS: During a 25-month period, 366 tuberculosis cases were identified. After excluding cases among visitors to the area, and adjusting for age, the incidence of tuberculosis was 18.3 times higher (95% CI 12.9-26.0) among HIV-1-positive individuals, 13.7 times higher (9.0-20.7) among dually infected (HIV-1 and HIV-2), and 3.0 times higher (2.1-4.3) among HIV-2-infected compared with HIV-negative individuals. HIV-1 and dually infected tuberculosis patients had a higher mortality rate than HIV-negative tuberculosis patients [mortality ratio (MR) 2.68; CI 1.11-6.48 and 2.89; CI 1.13-7.39, respectively]. The survival of HIV-2-positive tuberculosis patients was similar to that of HIV-negative tuberculosis patients (MR 1.19; CI 0.46-3.06). CONCLUSION: The presence of HIV-2 infection increases the incidence of tuberculosis compared with that in non-HIV-infected individuals, but does not affect tuberculosis-related mortality in the short term. In contrast, the presence of HIV-1 infection, alone or with HIV-2, has a several-fold greater impact on both the incidence of and mortality from tuberculosis.

Predictors of virologic failure and resistance in HIV-infected patients treated with nevirapine- or efavirenz-based antiretroviral therapy.

Resistance to nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) increases with the wider use of this class of antiretroviral therapy. The association between adherence and resistance to NNRTI-based regimens is poorly understood. Predictors of virologic failure and resistance according to a baseline evaluation of nonadherence risk factors were determined in a cohort of 71 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with early virologic response who received an NNRTI-based regimen. During the median follow-up of 29 months, 20 (28%) of 71 patients experienced virologic failure with an NNRTI-based regimen. Virologic failure was associated with repeated drug holidays (> or =48 h of unplanned drug cessation), depression, younger age, and low adherence to therapy during baseline evaluation. Moreover, repeated drug holidays was the only risk factor for developing a major mutation conferring cross-resistance to the NNRTI class (hazard ratio, 22.5; 95% confidence interval, 2.8-180.3; P<.0001). Patients' previous adherence to therapy and drugs genetic barriers, not only the number of pills or doses involved, should be taken into consideration in the decision to simplify highly active antiretroviral therapy.

[HBs Ag and antibodies to hepatitis C virus in complicated chronic liver disease in Gabon. A case control study]. / Antigène HBs et anticorps anti-VHC dans les hépatopathies chroniques compliquées au Gabon.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of HBs Ag and anti-HCV antibodies are high in the general population in Gabon. The aim of this study was to perform a case control study to determine the role of hepatitis B and C viruses in decompensated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: Between October 1990 and June 1998, HBs Ag and anti-HCV antibodies were investigated in 1 204 newly hospitalized patients. Sixty-seven had decompensated cirrhosis, 38 had hepatocellular carcinoma and six an association of both diseases. Prevalences were compared with those in a group of 527 sex and age matched controls from the same cohort. RESULTS: HBs Ag prevalence among cases was 35.1% (decompensated cirrhosis: 34.2%; hepatocellular carcinoma: 40.5%) and 12.5% among controls. Anti-HCV were detected in 32.4% of cases (decompensated cirrhosis: 34.2%; hepatocellular carcinoma: 28.6%) and in 20.1% of controls. Complicated chronic liver disease was linked to HBs Ag (OR=11.3; IC: 4.8-26.7; cirrhosis: OR=18; IC: 5.3-61.5; hepatocellular carcinoma: OR=8.3; IC: 2.5-27.8) in patients from 15 to 34 years old. Above 45 years, complicated chronic liver disease was linked to anti-HCV antibodies (OR=2.9; IC: 1.6-5.3; cirrhosis: OR=2.8; IC: 1.4-5.8; hepatocellular carcinoma: OR=3.2; IC: 1.1-9.5). CONCLUSION: Both Hepatitis B and C viruses are linked to complicated chronic liver disease in Gabon in an age-dependent manner.