[Infection by the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in the population of prisoners of Catalonia].

BACKGROUND

The prison population represents a high risk group for the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection. The present study was carried out to know the prevalence of infection in this collective in three penitentiary centers in Catalonia.

METHODS

All the subjects who were in or who were admitted to the three penitentiaries for men from October 1987 to April 1988 were included in the study (n = 1,579). Demographic risk factor and penitentiary variables were obtained. The determination of anti-HIV-1 antibodies was performed by enzymoimmunoanalysis (Dupont HIV ELISA).

RESULTS

The global prevalence of HIV-1 infection was of 40.6%. Significant statistical differences were found among intravenous drug users (IVDU) and non IVDU (chi 2 = 376.8, p < 0.0001, OR = 9.6, CI 95% = 7.5 - 12.3) and between habitual and sporadic users (chi 2 = 23.9, p < 0.0001, OR = 3.0, CI 95% = 1.9 x 4.7).

CONCLUSIONS

The penitentiary population in Catalonia is a collective with a high prevalence of infection by the human immunodeficiency virus type 1, with intravenous drug use being the fundamental factor associated to this prevalence.