SEROPREVALENCE OF VIRAL HEPATITIS B AND C IN GUINEAN PRISONS

Abstract

Introduction: Viral hepatitis in prisons is a major public health problem. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses in prisons in the Republic of Guinea. Material and methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out from September to November 2021 on inmates incarcerated in the administrative regions of Boké, Kindia, Mamou, N'Nzérékoré, Kankan, Labé and the prefecture of Siguiri. Rapid tests were used for diagnosis. Data were collected in Kobocollect
1.25.1 and analyzed in SPSS version 21. Results: During the study period, 1,387 inmates were included, of whom 404 (29.1%) were hepatitis B virus carriers. The hepatitis C virus was present in 6.5% of cases and 3% represented HBV/HCV co-infection. The majority were men (93.7%) and single (58.8%). The most common age group was 18-37 (78%). In terms of the judicial system, the majority had been sentenced to more than 12 months (55.2%), 63.9% for a misdemeanor and 36.1% for a felony. The main co-morbidities were high blood pressure (7.8%) and diabetes (1.9%). Most of the inmates reused razor blades (29.8%) and had tattoos (16.7%). Conclusion: Controlling this infection in prisons will necessarily require increased awareness, screening, vaccination and treatment of positive cases