Fungal indoor Air Quality and Associated Factors in Prison Inmate Cells of East Hararghe Zone and Harari Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia, 2020

: The presence of fungi inside of buildings and structures is referred to as fungal indoor air quality. Infections, fragments of fungal cells, and metabolites of fungal organisms can all provide significant challenges in indoor structures, including prison inmate cells. In East Hararghe and Harari regional state, there is no evidence of a fungal load or associated factors in prisons. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fungal indoor air quality and related factors in prison inmate cells. An Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted. The source and study population were all prisoner cells located in the East Hararghe zone and Harari regional state prisons. 62 prisoner cells were used in the investigation. The approach of non-random sampling was applied. Passively settle able plates were used to collect the samples (Koch sedimentation method). ANOVA, correlation, and chi-square statistical tests were used to examine the row data using SPSS statistical software and Microsoft Excel. The fungal concentrations were highest at 8:00 pm (537 CFU/m 3 ) and lowest at 2:00 pm (115 CFU/m 3 ), respectively. The number of people was poorly connected with the fungal load (r=0.192 and p=0.039), and there was a significant positive weak correlation between the fungal load and temperature (r= 0.275, P=0.031). In contrast, a significant positive correlation between the fungal load and relative humidity in prisoner cells was discovered (r = 0.983; p = 0.004). In conclusion, the fungal concentrations were in the intermediate region (<500CFU/m 3 ) except in one inmate cell of the investigated prisons. This study indicates that, it may pose threats to inmates. As a result, both the Harari region and the eastern Haragie zone prison offices should take action to address the issue. The prison facility needs to be restructured in accordance with current requirements.