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Purpose: Smoking rates are known to be higher amongst those committed to prison than the general population. Those in prison suffer from high rates of comorbidities that are likely to increase their risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), making it more difficult to manage. In 2016, a tobacco ban began to be implemented across prisons in England and Wales, UK. This study aims to measure the effect of the tobacco ban on predicted cardiovascular risk for those quitting smoking on admission to prison. Design/methodology/approach: Using data from a prevalence study of CVD in prisons, the authors have assessed the effect of the tobacco ban on cardiovascular risk, using predicted age to CVD event, ten-year CVD risk and heart age, for those who previously smoked and gave up on admission to prison. Findings: The results demonstrate measurable health gains across all age groups with the greatest gains found in those aged 50 years and older and who had been heavy smokers. Quitting smoking on admission to prison led to a reduced heart age of between two and seven years for all participants. Originality/value: The data supports tobacco bans in prisons as a public health measure to reduce risk of CVD. Interventions are needed to encourage maintenance of smoking cessation on release from prison for the full health benefits to be realised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The health of people in prisons is a public health issue. It is well known that those in prison experience poorer health outcomes than those in the general community. One such example is the burden of non-communicable diseases, more specifically cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). However, there is limited evidence research on the extent of cardiometabolic risk factors in the prison environment in Wales, the wider UK or globally. Methods Risk assessments were performed on a representative sample of 299 men at HMP Parc, Bridgend. The risk assessments were 30 min in duration and men aged 25–84 years old and free from pre-existing CVD and T2DM were eligible. During the risk assessment, a number of demographic, anthropometric and clinical markers were obtained. The 10-year risk of CVD and T2DM was predicted using the QRISK2 algorithm and Diabetes UK Risk Score, respectively. Results The majority of the men was found to be either overweight (43.5%) or obese (37.5%) and/or demonstrated evidence of central obesity (40.1%). Cardiometabolic risk factors including systolic hypertension (25.1%), high cholesterol (29.8%), low HDL cholesterol (56.2%) and elevated total cholesterol: HDL ratios (23.1%) were observed in a considerable number of men. Ultimately, 15.4% were calculated at increased risk of CVD, and 31.8% predicted at moderate or high risk of T2DM. Conclusions Overall, a substantial prevalence of previously undiagnosed cardiometabolic risk factors was observed and men in prison are at elevated risk of cardiometabolic disease at a younger age than current screening guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global public health issue and in low-incidence countries guidance identifies the need to screen for and treat latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) with the prison environment recommended as a setting to perform LTBI screening. This study describes the findings of a LTBI screening programme which took place on entry to a remand prison in the UK. Methods Testing for LTBI was undertaken alongside screening for blood borne viruses in 567 men. During the screening process, information was collected on demographic variables and also specific risk factors based on World Health Organization recommendations. LTBI analysis was performed using Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) technique. Results In total, 40 men returned an IGRA positive result (7.1%). However, irrespective of IGRA/LTBI status there was a substantial burden of risk factors present including previous prison stay, history of substance misuse and no BCG vaccination. Non-White ethnicity, a history of substance misuse and age over 34 years were the most significant factors in identifying individuals who would require treatment for LTBI (Positive IGRA result). Conclusions The study further demonstrates that the prevalence of LTBI remains increased within the prison environment and is a setting that still requires effective LTBI management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]