ADEGOKE Olusola Andrew2024-06-102024-06-102023-12Kate TurabianM.Schttps://repository.lcu.edu.ng/handle/123456789/464Prison represents dynamic communities with congregation of risk factors of Mycobacterial infections, other diseases and its transmission. The study determines the prevalence of mycobacterial infections that is yet to be studied in Agodi Custodial Center, Oyo State, Nigeria. A total of two hundred (200) sputum samples were collected from the inmates who have been coughing for weeks or more between January and June, 2022. Structured Questionnaires were administered to the eligible inmates to capture bio-data and TB risk factors. National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program (NTBLCP) Algorithm of test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis was strictly followed in addition to genetic relatedness of the isolates which was determined using Phylogenic analysis. 39.5% of the inmates tested had their average means age to be 29.5 years. Over 67.5% had secondary education as their highest educational qualification. Out of 19.5% that were positive for Gene Xpert MTB/RIF assay 10% were Rifampicin sensitive, 1.5% were Rifampicin resistant and 8.5% were Rifampicin Indeterminate. Respondent educational status (p=0.000), HIV status (p=0.000), those with cough for two or more weeks (p=0.008) and those previously treated for TB (p=0.002) respectively were statistically significantly associated with mycobacterial infection. Culture result captured the overall prevalence of mycobacterial infections in Agodi prisons to be 21%. Out of this Mycobacterium tuberculosis was 10%, Mycobacterium bovis was 5%, Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterium (NTM) was 6% Mycobacterium fortuitum dominated among the NTM, Mycobacterium chelonie in lesser percentage .The overall anti-TB resistance was found to be 11.5% with Rifampicin resistance 70.0% and 76.6% by LPA (molecular) phenotypic proportion method respectively. The study show that the prevalence of mycobacterial infection with concomitant drug resistance is high among the inmates at Agodi Custodial Center with overcrowding as the most associated factor. Therefore, prison decongestion, architectural design and infection control measures are recommended to stop the high rate of mycobacterial infections. Key words: Mycobacterial infection, Prison inmates, Tuberculosis, Risk factors, Rifampicin Resistant.enMycobacterial infectionPrison inmatesTuberculosisRisk factorsRifampicin Resistant.Thesis