[Prevalence infections and risk factors due to HIV, Hepatitis B and C in a prison establishment in Leiria]

Abstract

The present study emerged due to HIV, Hepatitis B and C test samples that have been taking place in a prison establishment in Leiria. The samples were taken from 788 (77%) of the 1019 prisoners that entered the prison during the periods between February of 1999 to September 2003. A questionnaire was carried to the transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B and C infections and blood samples were also taken to determine the immunologic situation in relationship to the same viruses. Of the 788 prisoners that participated, 699 (89%) were male and 89(11%) were female. The average age was 32.3, the oldest person was 70 and the youngest was 16 years old. 294 (40%) prisoners admitted using injectable drugs and 606 (84%) confirmed they had more than one sexual partner. HIV infection were found in 47 (6%) of the prisoners, HCV infection in 326 (42%), HBsAg in 21 (3%), HBsAc in 309 (40%) and HBcAc in 312 (40%) of the prisoners. Statistics confirm a significant relationship between injectable drugs and the presence of HIV infection and HBcAc and between sexual relationships with an infected partner and the presence of HBcAc, anti-HCV and HIV infection. The prevalence of infected prisoners with HIV was 6%, with HBV 40% and with HCV 42%. Hepatitis B and C infected 70% of the prisoner who used injectable drugs. The prevalence of hepatitis B and C and HIV infection that were found compel for the continuation of prevention.