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.
Tatooing to higher risk of hepatitis C study finds. 2010;
2.
Sy T, Jamal M. Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Int J Med Sci. 2006;41–6.
3.
Hellard M, Sacks-Davis R, Gold J. Hepatitis C treatment for injection drug users: a review of the available evidence. Clin Infect Dis. 2009;561–73.
4.
Reekie J, Levy M, Richards A, Wake C, Siddall D, Beasley H, et al. Trends in HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C prevalence among Australian prisoners -2004. Med J Aust. 2007;277–80.
5.
Poulin C, Alary M, Lambert G, Godin G, Landry S, Gagnon H, et al. Claessens C. Prevalence of HIV and hepatitis C virus infections among inmates of Quebec provincial prisons. CMAJ. 2007;252–6.
6.
Butler T, Papanastasiou C. National prison entrants’ bloodborne virus and risk behaviour survey. 2004;
7.
Fox R, Currie S, Evans J, Wright T, Tobler L, Phelps B, et al. Hepatitis C virus infection among prisoners in the California state correctional system. Clin Infect Dis. 2005;177–86.
8.
Alavian S, Fallahian F. Epidemiology of hepatitis C in Iran and the world. Shiraz E-Medical Journal. 2009;162–72.
9.
Christensen P, Krarup H, Niesters H, Norder H, Georgsen J. Prevalence and incidence of bloodborne viral infections among Danish prisoners. Eur J Epidemiol. 2000;1043–9.
10.
Carney K, Dhalla S, Aytaman A, Tenner C, Francois F. Association of tattooing and hepatitis C virus infection: a multicenter case-control study. Hepatology. 2013;2117–23.
11.
Laumann A, Derick A. Tattoos and body piercings in the United States: a national data set. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006;413–21.
12.
Saiz De La Hoya P, Marco A, García-Guerrero J, Rivera A. Prevalhep Study Group. Hepatitis C and B prevalence in Spanish prisons. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2011;857–62.
13.
Peña-Orellana M, Hernández-Viver A, Caraballo-Correa G, Ce AG. Prevalence of HCV risk behaviors among prison inmates: tattooing and injection drug use. J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2011;962–82.
14.
Martin M, Dorken S, Colman I, Mckenzie K, Simpson A. The incidence and prediction of selfinjury among sentenced prisoners. Can J Psychiatry. 2014;259–67.
15.
Williams I, Nainan O, Aragon T. Book of abstracts. International symposium on viral hepatitis Australian center for hepatitis virology. 2003;57.
16.
Alary M, Joly J, Vincelette J, Lavoie R, Turmel B, Remis R. Lack of evidence of sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus in a prospective cohort study of men who have sex with men. Am J Public Health. 2005;502–5.
17.
Blackburn A, Fowler S, Mullings J, Marquart J. Too close for comfort: exploring gender differences in inmate attitudes toward homosexuality in prison. Am J Crim Just. 2011;58.
18.
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.
19.
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.
20.
Nađena je statistički signifikantna povezanost između HCVI-a i injekcijskog korištenja droga prije izdržavanja kazne.
21.
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.
22.
Shivkumar S, Peeling R, Jafari Y, Joseph L, Pai P. Accuracy of rapid and point-of-care screening tests for hepatitis C: a systematic review and metaanalysis. Ann Intern Med. 2012;558–66.
23.
Marinelli D, Fortunato F, Simsek G, Prato R. Epidemiology and prevention of viral hepatitis B and C. 2013;
24.
Skoretz S, Zaniewski G, Goedhuis N. Hepatitis C virus transmission in the prison/inmate population. Can Commun Dis Rep. 2004;141–8.
25.
Zampino R, Coppola N, Sagnelli C, Caprio D, Sagnelli G, E. Hepatitis C virus infection and prisoners: epidemiology, outcome and treatment. World J Hepatol. 2015;2323–30.
26.
Tibbs C. Methods of transmission of hepatitis C. J Viral Hepat. 1995;113–9.
27.
Gribajčević M, Vukobrat-Bijedić Z, Lačević N. Vodič za hepatitis B i C. Ministarstvo zdravstva Kantona Sarajevo, Institut za naučno-istraživački rad Kliničkog centra Univerziteta u Sarajevu. 2005;
28.
Šabović S, Porobić-Jahić H, Jahić R. Abstracts of the 23rd symposium of infectious diseases specialists. Abstract. :26.
29.
Čalkić L. Alternative ways of hepatitis C spreading. 2011;
30.
HIV/AIDS/STD behavioural surveillance surveys (BSS), for use with injecting drug users (IDUs). Family Health International. 1AD;
31.
Khuroo M, Khuroo N, Khuroo M. Diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care tests for hepatitis C virus infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE. 2015;121450.
32.
Irshad M, Mankotia D, Irshad K. An insight into the diagnosis and pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus infection. World J Gastroenterol. 2013;7896–909.
33.
Averhoff F, Glass N, Holtzman D. Global burden of hepatitis C: considerations for healthcare providers in the United States. Clin Infect Dis. 2012;(Suppl 1):10–5.
34.
Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended testing sequence for identifying current hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. 1AD;
35.
Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Guidelines for Laboratory Testing and Result Reporting of Antibody to Hepatitis C Virus. 1AD;
36.
Vidić V, Ler Ž, Ravlija J. Research on risk behavior of prison inmates in relation to HIV/SPI in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 2011;
37.
Larney S, Kopinski H, Beckwith C, Zaller N, Jarlais D, Hagan H, et al. Degenhardt L. Incidence and prevalence of hepatitis C in prisons and other closed settings: results of a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hepatology. 2013;1215–24.
38.
Groot D, Stubblefield A, Bick E, J. Hepatitis C: a correctional-public health opportunity. Medscape Infect Dis. 2001;1–11.
39.
Challacombe L. The epidemiology of hepatitis C in Canada. Catie, Canada’s source for HIV and hepatitis C information. 10AD;
40.
Adjei A, Armah H, Gbagbo F, Ampofo W, Quaye I, Hesse I, et al. Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and syphilis among prison inmates and officers at Nsawam and Accra, Ghana. J Med Microbiol. 2006;593–7.
41.
Macalino G, Vlahov D, Sanford-Colby S, Patel S, Sabin K, Salas C, et al. Prevalence and incidence of HIV, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus infections among males in Rhode Island prisons. Am J Public Health. 2004;1218–23.
42.
Brandolini M, Novati S, Silvestri D, Tinelli A, Patruno C, Ranieri S, et al. Prevalence and epidemiological correlates and treatment outcome of HCV infection in an Italian prison setting. BMC Public Health. 2013;981.
The statements, opinions and data contained in the journal are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publisher and the editor(s). We stay neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
