Predictive markers for hepatitis C virus infection among Brazilian inmates

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has quite high prevalence in the prison system, reaching rates of up to 40%. This survey aimed to estimate the prevalence of HCV infection and evaluate risk factors for this exposure among male inmates at the Ribeirão Preto Prison, State of São Paulo, Brazil, betwee...

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Published in:Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical 2009-07, Vol.42 (4), p.369-372
Main Authors: Coelho, Harnoldo Colares, de Oliveira, Sabrina Alberti Nóbrega, Miguel, Juliana Custódio, Oliveira, Maria de Lourdes Aguiar, Figueiredo, José Fernando de Castro, Perdoná, Gleici Castro, Passos, Afonso Dinis Costa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Brazil - epidemiology
Hepacivirus - immunology
Hepatitis C - diagnosis
Hepatitis C - epidemiology
Hepatitis C Antibodies - blood
Humans
Immunoenzyme Techniques
Male
Middle Aged
Prevalence
Prisoners - statistics & numerical data
Risk Factors
TROPICAL MEDICINE
Young Adult
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Summary:Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has quite high prevalence in the prison system, reaching rates of up to 40%. This survey aimed to estimate the prevalence of HCV infection and evaluate risk factors for this exposure among male inmates at the Ribeirão Preto Prison, State of São Paulo, Brazil, between May and August 2003. A total of 333 participants were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire and underwent immunoenzymatic assaying to investigate anti-HCV. The prevalence of HCV infection among the inmates was 8.7% (95% CI: 5.7-11.7). The participants'mean age was 30.1 years, and the prevalence was predominantly among individuals over 30 years of age. Multivariate analysis showed that the variables that were independently associated with HCV infection were age > 30 years, tattooing, history of previous hepatitis, previous injection drug use and previous needle-sharing.
ISSN:0037-8682
1678-9849
1678-9849
0037-8682
DOI:10.1590/S0037-86822009000400002