JAIL POPULATION

A SURVEY FOR HBV, HCV AND HIV INFECTIONS

Abstract

Objective: The infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are common among prisoners but such data are sparse from Pakistan; hence in this study, we evaluated the sero-prevalence of these three infections among Jail inmates. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Central Jail, Lahore. Period: May to November 2009. Methodology: Investigate the seroprevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV infections among the random population of sentenced inmates of Central Jail, Lahore. We examined 3062 jail inmates, 396 of them were females and 2666 males. Majority of the inmates were Pakistani national (97.06 %). All collected blood samples were tested for HIV antibodies, HBsAg, and anti-HCV antibodies with one step chromatographic immunoassay. Results: Seroprevalence rate of HCV, HBV and HIV infections was 15.31%, 3.46 % and 1.79 % respectively. Overall prevalence of these infections in the jail inmates was 20.57 % and 18.77 % of them were positive for markers of viral hepatitis B/C. Conclusions: We evaluated that jail inmates in Pakistan had a high incidence of HCV, HBV and HIV infections. Regular testing is required to identify infected prisoners and refer them for appropriate treatment. In addition, general disease prevention efforts are needed to minimize transmission of these viral infections in this subpopulation, before and after release.