Abstract

SANCHEZ RECIO, Raquel; ALONSO PEREZ DE AGREDA, Juan Pablo  and  SANTABARBARA SERRANO, Javier. Sexually transmitted infections in male prison inmates: risk of development of new diseases. Gac Sanit [online]. 2016, vol.30, n.3, pp.208-214. ISSN 0213-9111.  https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gaceta.2016.01.010.

Objective: To measure incidence and main risk factors related to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Daroca Prison (Zaragoza, Spain). Method: A retrospective cohort study (2005-2013) to measure the incidence of STI and a cross-sectional study to measure risk factors. Results: Of the 203 inmates, 79 developed an STI, 37 had a previous STI, 55.2% lacked knowledge on STI prevention, and 28.9% showed behaviours unfavourable for STI prevention. The incidence rate was 6.5 STIs per 1,000 inmates-year. The most frequent STIs were hepatitis B (39.7%), Ureaplasma urealyticum (19.1%), herpes simplex (16.2%) and HIV (8.8%). The risk (hazard ratio, HR) of acquiring a new STI was significantly higher in inmates with a history of previous STI (HR = 2.61; 95%CI: 1.01 to 6.69), and was at the limit of significance for non-preventive behaviour (HR = 2.10; 95%CI: 0.98 to 4.53), but not in knowledge related to STIs (HR = 1.33; 95%CI: 0.58 to 3.07). Conclusion: The most important risk factors in prison are behaviours related to STIs and previous history of STIs. Other factors are being a repeat offender, injecting drug use, or being in a methadone programme. Health personnel and peer education can facilitate prevention and control.

Keywords : Sexually transmitted infections; Risk factors; Sexual behaviour; Incidence; Prisoners; Health surveys.

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