Prevalence of Co-Infections of Hepatitis B and C Among Drug Abuse: Prisoners and Its Association With High Risk Behavior

One of the groups predisposed to viral coinfection of hepatitis B and C (HCV and HBV) is injecting drug prisoners. The crimes, they were sentenced to prison for, are often the same high risk behavior, which predispose individuals to high risk diseases like AIDS and hepatitis. Because coinfection of hepatitis B and C complicates the clinical course, management, and therapy, the literature on the prevalence of HBV/HCV coinfection among intravenous drug abuse inmates in Iran is sparse. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis B and C coinfection in drug abuse prisoners and its association with demographic characteristics and high risk behaviors. This cross-sectional study was carried out on drug abuse prisoners during 2009 in Isfahan. Data were collected by questionnaire, including high risk behaviors, medical and surgery record, and demographic characteristics. Blood samples were tested for HBsAg and HCV Ab. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson test. The results showed that 20 inmates (2.1%) had coinfection of HBV and HCV. Also a significant correlation exists between coinfection of HBV and HCV and dental care (P = 0.02), using a shared needle (P = 0.01), and history of imprisonment (P = 0.01). With regard to the results of the present research, in order to lower the risk of these diseases transmission in prison, some interventions are recommended as follows: informing the prisoners and enhancing their awareness about high risk behaviors, screening them prior to entry and during their stay, giving them sterile syringes, and supervising more carefully over entrance of drugs into the prison.