Epidemiology of tuberculosis, scabies, and enteric infections in Polish prisons (2002-2023): A nationwide data analysis and systematic review.

Authors

Rafał Korkosz, Agata Trzcionka, Robert Deręgowski, Maksymilian Kiełbratowski, Anna Kuśka-Kiełbratowska, Mansur Rahnama-Hezavah, Marta Tanasiewicz

Published in

Advances in clinical and experimental medicine : official organ Wroclaw Medical University. Jun 23, 2026. Epub Jun 23, 2026.

Abstract

The specific conditions prevailing in prisons increase the risk of disease transmission among inmates. Several factors influence the risk of infectious disease transmission in prisons, including overcrowding, limited access to water, delayed diagnosis, and poor ventilation. The aim of this study was to assess the burden of selected infectious diseases among Polish prisoners between 2002 and 2023 and to analyze the literature addressing these diseases published between 2015 and 2025. In the 1st part, a systematic review was conducted. In the 2nd part, the results of the authors' own research were presented. The source material was obtained from Statistics Poland. An increase in tuberculosis (TB) cases was observed from the early to mid-2010s, peaking in 2012. Subsequently, a decrease in TB cases was noted after 2012, reaching a nadir in 2021, followed by a resurgence in 2023. A decrease in scabies cases was also observed. However, from 2009 onward, this trend reversed, with cases increasing and peaking in 2014. Subsequently, the number of cases reached a new low in 2022, before increasing again in 2023. For Salmonella/Shigella, the number of tests remained around 5,000 in the early years, reaching a peak of 8,876 in 2020. This was followed by a decline, with 5,204 tests recorded in 2023. To minimize the risk of infectious disease transmission in prisons, several preventive measures should be implemented, including screening of newly admitted prisoners, introduction of prophylactic programs, and development of standardized procedures to follow in cases of infection.

PMID:
42335388
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 24 Jun 2026.

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