Prevalence of blood-borne virus infections and uptake of hepatitis C testing and treatment in Australian prisons: the AusHep study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Incarcerated people are at high risk of blood-borne virus infections, particularly HCV, and a priority population for elimination efforts. This national bio-behavioural survey evaluated blood-borne virus prevalence and HCV testing-and-treatment uptake amongst people in Australian prisons.

Methods

Randomly-selected participants from 23 representative prisons nationally were offered point-of-care testing for HIV and HCV (anti-HCV) antibodies, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and HCV RNA (if anti-HCV positive). Demographic data and previous HCV testing and treatment were collected by structured interview.

Findings

1599 individuals participated (98% participation; 89%male; median age 35 years; 49% ever injected drugs). Prevalence estimates were: 31.7% (95%

SUBMITTER: Bah R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11616070 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature