Prevalence and determinants of chronic non-communicable diseases among prison inmates in the city of Tete, Mozambique: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: High health inequalities and non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) are prevalent in the prison population, particularly in Sub-Saharan African countries, posing significant implications for morbidity and mortality. This study analyzes the prevalence and determinants of these diseases among prisoners in the city of Tete, Mozambique. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among inmates at the Tete City Prison, Mozambique. Diabetes Mellitus (DM) was diagnosed based on the criteria established by the International Expert Committee, which defines diabetes as a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level of ≥ 126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L). Participants who reported a previous diagnosis of diabetes by a doctor or health professional were also classified as diabetic. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify significant risk factors, reporting adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval, considering a p-value < 0.05 as significant. Results: The prevalence of hypertension, DM, and obesity was 36.90% (95% CI: 31.33; 42.73), 10.34% (95% CI: 7.09; 14.44), and 1.38% (95% CI: 0.38; 3.49), respectively. A family history of DM (AOR: 14.95; 95% CI: 3.32; 67.44) and being female (AOR: 2.54; 95% CI: 1.43; 4.52) were identified as risk factors associated with DM and Hypertension, respectively. Conclusion: The study revealed high rates of DM and hypertension among inmates, highlighting family history as a risk factor for DM and the association of female with hypertension. Urgent implementation of preventive measures for hypertension, along with early screenings for individuals with a family history of DM, is essential to mitigate complications in prison environment.