Abstract
BackgroundUsing the aggregated data of all sentinel sero-surveys (1991 to 2007), this study aimed to report the HIV trend among Iranian prisoners.MethodOverall, we analysed the aggregated data from 397 HIV sero-surveys conducted in 72 prisons (included 155,771 prisoners) from 1991 through 2007.ResultsThe overall HIV prevalence was 2.8% (95% CI: 1.8%-4.3%). In 1998, HIV prevalence dramatically increased to 4.5% (95% CI: 1.1%-16.8%), which later became stable at level of 2.8%. Prisons were so heterogeneous regarding HIV prevalence (0% to 13.2%).ConclusionSince the outbreak, the ministry of health has acknowledged prisoners as one of the high-risk groups for HIV, increased the number of sentinel surveys and on-site harm reduction services to better monitor and response to the HIV epidemic. The downward trend of HIV prevalence after 2005 suggests the effectiveness of such interventions which need to be continued.
Highlights
Using the aggregated data of all sentinel sero-surveys (1991 to 2007), this study aimed to report the HIV trend among Iranian prisoners
Given the fact that HIV epidemic in Iran is driven by injecting drug users, prisoners could be at higher risk of HIV acquisition and further transmission [5,6,7]
In this paper, using the existing HIV sentinel surveillance data, we explore the HIV trend among prisoners since early 1990s to monitor the response to prisons’ HIV epidemics in Iran
Summary
Using the aggregated data of all sentinel sero-surveys (1991 to 2007), this study aimed to report the HIV trend among Iranian prisoners. With very strict rules against drug trafficking, has been used as one of the main transient routes for drugs and opium trafficking from Afghanistan to other countries. This has made opium and other drugs available for Iranians [1,2]. This put more people at risk of drug addiction and drug trafficking related crimes, and so more related incarceration [3,4]. Prisoners are considered as one of the high-risk groups for HIV in many countries [6,8]. High prevalence of HIV among prisoners in compare to general population was reported in USA (ratio 6:1), France (ratio 10:1) [9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
