Abstrakt
Prevalence of viral hepatitis B, C and Delta, syphilis and hiv in the prison population in the closed penal system of the western Amazon
Deusilene S. Vieira, Suyane da C. Oliveira, Alcione de O. Santos, Lucas S. Oliveira, Debora da S. Lopes, Luan Felipo Botelho-Souza, Juan M. V. Salcedo, Lourdes M. Borzacov, Natanael da C. Arruda.
Introduction: The prison population is considered vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) related to conditions of confinement, social marginalization, drug dependence, low socioeconomic status and poor health service conditions. The Studies with institutionalized population shows that most subjects had not performed any testing during their lifetime, or if they had, they had done so infrequently, resulting in underreporting of cases and lack of data revealing the real prevalence of these diseases in the prison population. In the Brazilian West Amazon, where the prevalence of viral hepatitis, mainly B and Delta, are high, specific studies in the prison population are extremely relevant in order to describe their epidemiological profile and justify the promotion of public health policies that improve the quality of life of the institutionalized.
Objective: This study aimed to detect the prevalence of viral hepatitis B, C and Delta, HIV and syphilis in the male prison population in a closed penal system.
Methods: Using fast-running immunochromatographic assays (Rapid Tests) for anti-HIV, HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-T. pallidum the cross-sectional cohort study investigated factors associated with transmission. Results: Were tested 846 people and the prevalence observed was 1.4% (12/846) for HBV; 0.9% (08/846) for HCV; 1.4% (12/846) for HIV; and, 8.9% (75/846) for syphilis.
Conclusion: The results show an at-risk population with behaviors that favor transmission and maintenance of the intramural and extramural chain of transmission, upon their reinsertion into future society. It highlights the need to apply and improve public health policies specific to the prison population.