BACKGROUND: Prisons are important settings for blood-borne virus control because of the high prevalence of hepatitis C and B viral infections (HCV and HBV), and behaviours associated with transmission among prisoners. METHODS: Data from sentinel laboratories in England were used to identify testing for hepatitis C (anti-HCV) and hepatitis B [hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-hepatitis B core antigen (HBc)] among male and female prisoners between 2005 and 2008. RESULTS: Between 2005 and 2008, 10 723 prisoners from 39 prisons in England were tested for anti-HCV, anti-HBc and/or HBsAg. Overall, 24.2% prisoners tested positive for anti-HCV. Anti-HCV testing increased 47% over 4 years (P < 0.001), whilst the proportion testing positive decreased significantly from 26% in 2005 to 23% in 2008 (χ(2)= 10.0, df = 3, P = 0.030). In total, 13.9% people tested positive for anti-HBc. Of 5151 people tested for anti-HBc, 4433 were also tested for HBsAg; of these 2.4% were HBsAg positive. HBsAg testing increased 35% between 2005 and 2008, with no significant change in the proportion testing positive. Between 2005 and 2008, 2.4% (CI: 2.32-2.43%) of the prison population (24 prisons) were estimated to have been tested for anti-HCV. CONCLUSIONS: Although hepatitis testing has increased, only a small proportion of the prison population were tested. More testing is required to identify infected prisoners and refer them for appropriate treatment.
BACKGROUND: Prisons are important settings for blood-borne virus control because of the high prevalence of hepatitis C and B viral infections (HCV and HBV), and behaviours associated with transmission among prisoners. METHODS: Data from sentinel laboratories in England were used to identify testing for hepatitis C (anti-HCV) and hepatitis B [hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-hepatitis B core antigen (HBc)] among male and female prisoners between 2005 and 2008. RESULTS: Between 2005 and 2008, 10 723 prisoners from 39 prisons in England were tested for anti-HCV, anti-HBc and/or HBsAg. Overall, 24.2% prisoners tested positive for anti-HCV. Anti-HCV testing increased 47% over 4 years (P < 0.001), whilst the proportion testing positive decreased significantly from 26% in 2005 to 23% in 2008 (χ(2)= 10.0, df = 3, P = 0.030). In total, 13.9% people tested positive for anti-HBc. Of 5151 people tested for anti-HBc, 4433 were also tested for HBsAg; of these 2.4% were HBsAg positive. HBsAg testing increased 35% between 2005 and 2008, with no significant change in the proportion testing positive. Between 2005 and 2008, 2.4% (CI: 2.32-2.43%) of the prison population (24 prisons) were estimated to have been tested for anti-HCV. CONCLUSIONS: Although hepatitis testing has increased, only a small proportion of the prison population were tested. More testing is required to identify infected prisoners and refer them for appropriate treatment.
Authors: Noel Craine; Rhiannon Whitaker; Stephanie Perrett; Lu Zou; Matthew Hickman; Marion Lyons Journal: Eur J Public Health Date: 2014-07-24 Impact factor: 3.367
Authors: Sylvia Drazilova; Martin Janicko; Pavol Kristian; Ivan Schreter; Monika Halanova; Ingrid Urbancikova; Andrea Madarasova-Geckova; Maria Marekova; Daniel Pella; Peter Jarcuska Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2018-05-22 Impact factor: 3.390
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Authors: Sylvia Drazilova; Pavol Kristian; Martin Janicko; Monika Halanova; Dominik Safcak; Patricia Denisa Dorcakova; Maria Marekova; Daniel Pella; Andrea Madarasova-Geckova; Peter Jarcuska Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-05-09 Impact factor: 3.390