Abstract

POSADA, A.  and  DIAZ TREMARIAS, M.. HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis infection in inmates of Venezuela's prisons, 1998-2001. Rev. esp. sanid. penit. [online]. 2008, vol.10, n.3, pp.73-79. ISSN 2013-6463.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of HIV, Hepatitis B and syphilis amongst inmates during the time period 1998-2001. Materials and Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study carried out at 6 prisons using a volunteer sample of 1773 inmates. Blood samples were gathered and analysed using enzyme linked immunoassays (ELISA) and RPR screening tests to identify the presence of HIV antibodies, Hepatitis B anti-core antibodies and treponema pallidum. Results: 456 cases gave a positive response to tests, 70 (4,0%) of which gave positive results for HIV, 280 (16,2%) for Hepatitis B and 106 (6,1%) for syphilis. The greatest percentage of HIV cases were found amongst the youngest inmates (18 to 37 years). The number of Hepatitis B cases increased progressively in line with age until reaching a maximum percentage in the 48-57 age group. No significant statistical difference for age was observed in syphilis cases, but differences were found amongst HIV positive and Hepatitis B cases for age, length of sentence and number of prisons where inmate resided.

Keywords : Prisons; prisoners; syphilis; HIV; Hepatitis; Public Health.

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