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Intravenous drugs abuse as the main risk factor of increasing hepatitis C infection prevalence in prisoners in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina

By
Harun Hodžić ,
Harun Hodžić
Contact Harun Hodžić

Department of Urology, Cantonal Hospital, Zenica, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Amel Bajramović ,
Amel Bajramović

High Security Penitentiary Zenica, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Zarema Obradović ,
Zarema Obradović

Institute for Public Health of Canton Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Faculty of Health Studies, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Mersiha Mahmić-Kaknjo
Mersiha Mahmić-Kaknjo

Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Cantonal Hospital, Zenica, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Aim
To determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) among prisoners in Zenica prison, and to investigate the
relation between HCV and risky behaviors: intravenous drugs use (IDU), tattooing, promiscuity.
Methods
This cross-sectional study conducted at the High Security Penitentiary in Zenica involved 200 convicted persons who
gave their consents for the research. Their blood was tested by AraGen Hepatitis C Test. Risky behaviors (IDU, tattooing, promiscuity) were tested by an anonymous self-administered questionnaire.
Results
The prevalence of HCV was 13% (26/200). There was a statistically significant correlation of HCV infection and drug
abuse before imprisonment (p=0.00), injection drug abuse before imprisonment (p=0.00), tattooing in prison (p=0.03) and having sex with homosexual partners (p=0.00).
Conclusion
The prevalence of HCV in prisoners at Zenica prison was significantly higher than in the general Bosnia and Herzegovina population. Intravenous drugs use had highest risk for HCV infection among prisoners. 

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Intravenska zloupotreba droga kao osnovni uzrok povećane prevalencije hepatitisa C u zatvorenika Kazneno-popravnog zavoda Zenica Harun Hodžić 1 Amel Bajramović 2. Mersiha Mahmić-Kaknjo.
40.
Sarajevo, 5 Služba za kliničku farmakologiju, Kantonalna bolnica Zenica; Bosna i Hercegovina SAŽETAK Cilj Utvrditi prevalenciju infekcije hepatitisa C (HCVI) u osoba na izdržavanju zatvorske kazne u Kazneno-popravnom zavodu Zenica, te povezanost između HCVI-a i rizičnih ponašanja.
41.
Nađena je statistički signifikantna povezanost između HCVI-a i injekcijskog korištenja droga prije izdržavanja kazne.
42.
Zaključak Prevalencija HCVI-a u osoba na izdržavanju kazne u Kazneno-popravnom zavodu Zenica je značajno viša u odnosu na opću populaciju u Bosni i Hercegovini. Intravenska upotreba droga predstavlja najznačajniji faktor za HCVI u zatvorenika.

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