SEROPREVALENCE OF HBsAg, HCV AND HIV AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS IN A CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IN SOUTHERN NIGERIA: A...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Incarceration facilitates the spread of blood-borne viruses like HBV, HCV, and HIV.
• Correctional centers act as reservoirs for these infections, posing a public health risk upon inmate release.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the seroprevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV among individuals in a Southern Nigerian correctional facility.
• To identify factors associated with these infections in the incarcerated population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted with 302 individuals in a correctional center.
• Data on socio-demographics, drug use, and incarceration history were collected via questionnaire.
• Blood samples were screened for HBV, HCV, and HIV.

Main Results:

• Seroprevalence rates were: HBV 6.6%, HCV 2%, and HIV 3.6%.
• Co-infections: HBV/HCV 0.3%, HIV/HBV 0.3%.
• Significant associations found between HBV and gender, ethnicity, income; HCV and genital rashes/discharge; HIV and sharing belongings, genital rashes/discharge, smoking.

Conclusions:

• HBV, HCV, and HIV are prevalent in this correctional population.
• Infections are associated with specific socio-demographic and clinical variables.