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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
04:11
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA
Published on: December 15, 2023
Hepatitis C and B prevalence in Spanish prisons
P Saiz de la Hoya1, A Marco, J García-Guerrero
1Servicios Médicos, Centro Penitenciario Fontcalent, 03113, Alicante, Spain. pabloshz@coma.es
Summary
Hepatitis C (HCV) and B (HBV) prevalence has decreased in Spanish prisons, likely due to reduced injection drug use (IDU) and an increase in immigrant populations. This study assessed HCV and HBV risk factors in prisoners.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) pose significant public health challenges.
- Prison populations often exhibit higher rates of viral hepatitis due to various risk factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Spanish prisoners.
- To identify associated risk factors within this population.
Main Methods:
- An observational, cross-sectional study design.
- Random selection of 18 Spanish prisons, with 21 prisoners per center.
- Serological testing for HCV and HBV markers.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of HCV was 22.7% and HBV was 2.6% among 378 participants.
- HCV population: predominantly male, middle-aged, Spanish origin, with a history of injection drug use (IDU).
- HCV co-infection rates: 40.5% with HIV, 0.3% with HBV, 1.5% with triple infection (HBV+HCV+HIV).
Conclusions:
- A decrease in HCV and HBV prevalence was observed in the Spanish prison population.
- This decline is likely linked to reduced IDU transmission and an increased immigrant prisoner population without this risk behavior.
- Significant proportions of inmates showed post-vaccination immunity or contact with HBV, while a notable percentage remained susceptible.
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