Viral hepatitis B, C and HIV infection in Croatian prisons

Abstract

Incarcerated persons comprise about 04% of the Croatian population, of whom 25-30% misuse drugs. We attempted to determine the structure of the prison population, prevalence of HBV, HCV, HIV markers, co-infections with HBV, HCV and HIV and acute HBV, HCV and HIV infection. In total, 259% of prisoners were positive for some markers for viral hepatitis (HBV 113%, HCV 83%, HBV/HCV 63%). Prevalence of HBV infection in intravenous drug users (IDUs) was 262% (highly promiscuous group 204%, individuals with psychiatric diseases and personality disorders 160%). HCV infection in IDUs was 520% and 49% in the highly promiscuous group. HBV/HCV co-infection was registered in 349% of prisoners positive for HBV markers (203/582). Acute HBV infection was detected in 05%, and HCV in 12%. Only 015% (5/3348) of prisoners were anti-HIV positive. It appears that individuals with psychiatric diseases and personality disorders could be an additional risk population for these viral infections. Copyright © 2010 Cambridge University Press.