Abstract
Introduction: Prison, as the most important place for the transmission of infectious diseases, has particular importance, and prison populations are at high risk for infectious diseases like Hepatitis B & C. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B & C among male inmates in six prisons of different provinces in Iran in 2012. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 2120 male prisoners from six prisons of Tehran (n=408), Kermanshah (n=400), Khorasan Razavi (n=400), Kerman (n=312), Isfahan (n=300) and Fars (n=300) were examined. Blood samples were tested for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV) by ELISA. Results: The mean age of the prisoners was 37±13 years with a range of 25–59 years. In total, 73 (3.4%) prisoners were anti-HBc positive and 273 (12.9%) prisoners were anti-HCV positive. The lowest prevalence of Hepatitis B and C was observed in Kerman (respectively, 2.52% and 3.2%) and the highest prevalence was seen in Isfahan (respectively, 6.3% and 33.6%). Conclusions: We found that the prevalence of Hepatitis B and C among prisoners is considerable. Nevertheless, prisoners routinely are not evaluated and screened for these infections. It is recommended that those who are responsible should apply some policy for reducing and preventing such transmissions in prisons.
Highlights
Prison, as the most important place for the transmission of infectious diseases, has particular importance, and prison populations are at high risk for infectious diseases like Hepatitis B & C
We found that the prevalence of Hepatitis B and C among prisoners is considerable
Among the 2,120 prisoners, 73 prisoners (3.4%) were tested positive in terms of surface antigen of Hepatitis B (HbsAg), and 273 (12.9%) prisoners were tested positive in terms of antibody against Hepatitis C (HCV Ab)
Summary
As the most important place for the transmission of infectious diseases, has particular importance, and prison populations are at high risk for infectious diseases like Hepatitis B & C. Prison has an important role in the transmission of infectious diseases, placing prison populations at risk of acquiring diseases such as Hepatitis B and C. People in prisons held for a long time in a closed environment and with the conditions such as overcrowding, poor nutrition, lack of medical care, and sexual contact with the same sex are susceptible to various infectious diseases. After release, they disperse in society and spread the disease [3]. Most prisoners have low social status, drug abuse, and risky sexual behaviors that are predictors of Hepatitis outbreak in these people. Many of these people are infected in prisons, making prison a source of Hepatitis [4]
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