Prevalence and Risk Factors of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infections among Prisoners Admitted to DMCH

Abstract

Background: There are approximately 66 thousand prisoners remained in 68 prisons in Bangladesh. (source: Kara Adhidoptar, Bangladesh). So these number of prisoners suffers from different diseases. Prisoners are associates with various high risk of infectious diseases, as a result of the possibility of transmission of infections in prisons surroundings. A high prevalence of blood borne hepatitis viruses and HIV carried out in correctional facilities around the world by investigations have shown. There are limited data on medical disorders among prison inmates in Bangladesh. The study was aimed at confirming prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C as well to assess knowledge and attitudes related to HIV, HBV and HCV infections among prisoners admitted to DMCH who referred to medicine department and/ or attended out-patient department in DMCH. Objective: To determine the prevalence and risk factors of HIV, HBV and HCV infection among prisoners referred to tertiary care hospital. Methods: This cross sectional study was done with a total number of 100 inmates over a period of one year. Prisoners, imprisonment for more than six months and who gave consent voluntarily were included in the study. After taking consent from the patient’s/guardians history was taken and physical examination was done. Sample was selected from the population by purposive sampling technique. Data were analysis was done using SPSS version 22.0. Result was expressed in tables and graphs. Results: The results showed a significantly higher seroprevalence of HBV (6%) and HCV (4%) though no prisoner was found to be HIV positive compared to the seroprevalence of these virus infections reported in the general Bangladeshi population (5.8% for HBV and 0.3% for HCV). Exposure of risk factors estimated H/O foreign travels 12%, IV drug abuse 14%, extramarital sexual exposure 16%, sharing of needle 10%, H/O blood transfusion 08%, family H/O diseases 05%, immunization of hepatitis B only 8% and homo sexuality 0%. Risk factors for HBV infection was estimated-family h/o disease 20%, IV drug abuse 7.10%, sharing of needles & syringes 10%, sexual exposue12.50%, blood transfusion 12.50%. Risk factors for HCV infection was estimated -IV drug abuse 7.10%, sexual exposue6.25%, sharing of needles & syringes 20%. Risk factors for HIV infection 0% for all risk factors as no one was HIV infected. Among the IDUs 14% was HBV positive and 30% was HCV positive. Conclusion: The results indicate higher prevalence of HBV and HCV infections among prisoners which has proven that HBV and HCV are the emerging public health problem in a developing country like Bangladesh. Various risk factors contribute to raise prevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV in prisoners. So avoidance from these risk factors is essential to prevent transmission of infection in prison. So health education and dissemination of message about the moods of transmission of these diseases is very important in prison.