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

BACKGROUND

Incarceration has been known to increase the transmission of some blood-borne viruses such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Correctional centres are thought to be the reservoir of these infections, thereby constituting a risk to the larger society when the individuals are released. Objectives: The study determined the seroprevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV and associated factors for infections among people living in a correctional centre (PLCC) in Southern Nigeria.

METHODOLOGY

This was a cross-sectional study involving PLCC. An objectively structured questionnaire was administered to obtain socio-demographic information and data about the history of recreational drug use, previous incarceration, and duration of incarceration. Blood samples were screened for hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and HIV.

RESULTS

A total of 302 PLCC participated in this study with a male: female ratio of 12:1. The sero-prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and HIV infections were 6.6%, 2% and 3.6% respectively. The co-infection rate of HBV/ HCV was 0.3% and HIV/HBV co-infection also 0.3%. There was a significant association between gender, ethnicity, monthly income and HBV status. History of genital rashes/discharge was also significantly associated with HCV status while 'HIV status' was associated with sharing of personal belongings, history of genital rashes/discharge and cigarette smoking.

CONCLUSION

HBV, HCV and HIV infections are prevalent among PLCC. The infections were associated with some socio-demographic and clinical variables.