HBV, HCV and HIV prevalence among - south Khorasan prisoners

HBV (hepatitis B virus), HCV (hepatitis C virus) and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) are among important infectious agents in prisoners. Intravenous addicts in prisons are one of the high risk groups and are more susceptible to such viral infections. There are many reports suggesting that prevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV is higher in prisoners. The present study was carried out in Birjand aiming at determining prevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV in Birjand prisoners. In this descriptive cross- sectional study prisoners in Birjand prison were studied. Sampling was done randomly. Information was collected through questionnaires and from each subject 5 ml of blood was taken to be tested for HBS Ag, anti HCV and anti HIV. The results were analyzed by means of chi- square test and P≤0.05 was taken as the significant level. Totally, 400 prisoners were surveyed 80.3% of them were males and 19.7% were females. 36.3% were addicts, 18.5% had a history of tattooing, 8.5% used to have illegal sexual contacts, and 16% had experienced sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the past. HBS Ag, HCV, and HIV prevalence in these samples were 5.8%, 7.8% and 0.0%, respectively. Prevalence of HBV was 6.5% in males and 2.5% in females (P=0.13). Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between prevalence of HBV and illegal sexual contacts while there was no significant relationship between the other variables. Prevalence of HCV was 8.4% in males and 5.1% in females (P=0.32). A significant correlation was found between HCV on one hand and transfusion (P=0.001), surgery (P<0.001), STD in the past (P=0.019), addiction (P<0.001) and tattooing (P<0.001) on the other. 0.25% of the cases had both HBV and HCV. HIV in all samples was negative so, its prevalence was zero. Regarding the prevalence of different types of hepatitis and risk of being infected with HIV, employing practical solutions to decrease the risk of transmission of these infections in prisoners especially vaccination against hepatitis B and instructing prisoners and prison staff are recommended.