Incidence of primary hepatitis C infection and risk factors for transmission in an Australian prisoner cohort.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is common in prisoner populations, particularly those with a history of injecting drug use (IDU). Previous studies of HCV incidence have been based on small case numbers and have not distinguished risk events in prison from those in the community.

Methods

HCV incidence was examined in a longitudinal cohort of 488 Australian prisoners with a history of IDU and documented to be seronegative within 12 months prior to enrollment. Inmates were tested for anti-HCV antibodies and viremia, and interviewed about demographic and behavioral risk factors for transmission.

Results

The cohort was predominantly male (65%) with high rates of prior imprisonment (72%) and tattooing (73%), as well as longstanding IDU (mean 8.5 years). Ninety-

SUBMITTER: Teutsch S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2975656 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature