TY - JOUR
T1 - Community incidence of hepatitis B and C among reincarcerated women
AU - Macalino, Grace E.
AU - Vlahov, David
AU - Dickinson, Brian P.
AU - Schwartzapfel, Beth
AU - Rich, Josiah D.
N1 - Funding Information:
We give special thanks to the Rhode Island Department of Corrections and Ann Marie Roberti. Financial support. Brown Medical School Research Fellowship; National Institutes of Health, Center for AIDS Research (P30-AI-42853); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U50 CUU119078 ); and the Medicine as a Profession Program of the Open Society Institute. Potential conflicts of interest. All authors: no conflicts.
PY - 2005/10/1
Y1 - 2005/10/1
N2 - Background. The incarceration rate has increased 239% in the United States over the past 2 decades. This increase in incarceration has been fueled by the movement towards a criminal, rather than medical, response to the problem of drug dependence. For women in particular, incarceration and drug use are interdependent epidemics. Given that incarceration is common among drug-dependent persons, infectious diseases-including hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection-are prevalent among incarcerated persons. We sought to determine the incidence of HBV and HCV infection among recidivist women prisoners. Methods. From 1996 through 1997, excess from serum samples collected during HIV testing of female admittees to a state Department of Corrections facility were tested for HBV and HCV. Multiple samples obtained from women incarcerated multiple times during the study period were compared for incidence. Results. Baseline prevalences of markers of HBV and HCV were 36% and 34%, respectively. Incidence rates for HBV and HCV infection among reincarcerated women were 12.2 and 18.2 per 100 person-years, respectively. The majority of the time spent between serial intakes was not spent in the correctional facility; thus, incident infections likely occurred in the community. Conclusions. Incidences of HBV and HCV infection among reincarcerated women were high. Prisons and jails can be efficient locations for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of hepatitis B and C through programs such as testing, counseling, education, vaccination, and linkage to medical and drug treatment services.
AB - Background. The incarceration rate has increased 239% in the United States over the past 2 decades. This increase in incarceration has been fueled by the movement towards a criminal, rather than medical, response to the problem of drug dependence. For women in particular, incarceration and drug use are interdependent epidemics. Given that incarceration is common among drug-dependent persons, infectious diseases-including hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection-are prevalent among incarcerated persons. We sought to determine the incidence of HBV and HCV infection among recidivist women prisoners. Methods. From 1996 through 1997, excess from serum samples collected during HIV testing of female admittees to a state Department of Corrections facility were tested for HBV and HCV. Multiple samples obtained from women incarcerated multiple times during the study period were compared for incidence. Results. Baseline prevalences of markers of HBV and HCV were 36% and 34%, respectively. Incidence rates for HBV and HCV infection among reincarcerated women were 12.2 and 18.2 per 100 person-years, respectively. The majority of the time spent between serial intakes was not spent in the correctional facility; thus, incident infections likely occurred in the community. Conclusions. Incidences of HBV and HCV infection among reincarcerated women were high. Prisons and jails can be efficient locations for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of hepatitis B and C through programs such as testing, counseling, education, vaccination, and linkage to medical and drug treatment services.
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U2 - 10.1086/432936
DO - 10.1086/432936
M3 - Article
C2 - 16142665
AN - SCOPUS:25444458829
SN - 1058-4838
VL - 41
SP - 998
EP - 1002
JO - Clinical Infectious Diseases
JF - Clinical Infectious Diseases
IS - 7
ER -