The Experience of Hepatitis C Screening among Prison Inmates with Drug Injection History

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

1 Department of Health, Prisons Organization, Isfahan, Iran.

2 Researcher, Infectiuos and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

3 Specialist in Community Medicine, Disease Control Unit, Isfahan Province Health Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

4 Technical Manager, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

5 Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

6 Associate Professor, Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine and Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

7 Associate Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, School of Medicine and Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C is a major worldwide problem with remarkable medical burden which is emerging mostly due to intravenuos drug abuse. The prevalence of hepatitis C infection is higher among prison inmates because of the high proportion of injecting drug users. So, the aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalnce of hepatitis C infection among prisoners with history of intravenous drug abuse in Isfahan province-Iran.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, active and inactvie intravenous drug abusers were enrolled into study volluntarily with ethical considerations. Participants were interviwed using a structured questionnaire and a blood sample was collected for detection HCV antibody using ELISA method.Finding: From 6000 prison inmates in Isfahn central prison and Assadabad Camp, approximatly 20 percent (1200 ones) had hsitory of intravenous drug abuse from which, 951 ones (80%) were intered in this study. The prevalenc of HCV infection was 42 percent and the main factores earned from this project experience were: problem in giving samples, problem in prison interance, separate interveiw and sample collecting, and desirable participants’ cooperation.Conclusion: According to success in obtaning nearly 80% of prison inmates with history of drug abuse, this is a good experience for other investigators and health directors to design simillar studies or executive protocols.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 28, Issue 0
November and December 2011
Pages 1565-1571

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History

  • Receive Date: 21 March 2011
  • Revise Date:
  • Accept Date: 06 April 2022

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