Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) are significant global public health burdens associated with liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and are responsible for over a million deaths yearly. Prisons and other confined facil...Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) are significant global public health burdens associated with liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and are responsible for over a million deaths yearly. Prisons and other confined facilities offer opportunities for the acquisition and transmission of infectious diseases such as hepatitis B and C during and after imprisonment. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C as well as their associated risk factors among inmates in the Port Harcourt Maximum Security Custodial Centre. A cross-sectional study was conducted among inmates incarcerated in the Port Harcourt Maximum Security Custodial Centre from July to December 2022, and 200 consenting subjects completed a structured questionnaire in addition to screening for the presence of HBsAg and anti-HCV antibodies. Data generated from this study was represented as frequency and percentages, and inferential statistics were carried out using chi-square with the aid of GraphPad Prism Software Version 9. Statistical significance was defined as a p-value of less than 0.05 at a 95% confidence interval. The seroprevalence of HBV was 4% while 3.5% was recorded for HCV with no cases of co-infections reported. HBV seroprevalence was significantly associated with blood oath and a history of surgery (p p < 0.05). The findings from the current study highlight a relatively lower prevalence of HBV and HCV amongst inmates in Port Harcourt in comparison to studies in Nigeria. These infections can be further controlled by multifaceted approaches by the prison personnel, administration, and Government by employing combative measures such as regular screening, easy access to therapy, awareness, and vaccination programs for HBV are crucial to prevent the transmission of these diseases.展开更多
Background: The burden of COVID-19 and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are some of the major and persistent global health challenges of the twenty-first century. HIV and COVID-19 are expected to overlap in high HIV...Background: The burden of COVID-19 and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are some of the major and persistent global health challenges of the twenty-first century. HIV and COVID-19 are expected to overlap in high HIV-burden countries, posing several public health challenges as a result. Prisons are overcrowded, have limited space for social distancing and have inadequate ventilation systems, making it difficult to contain the spread of COVID-19 in addition to the high-risk behaviours of inmates which contribute to the spread of HIV within these facilities. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 among inmates in a prison facility with a relatively high HIV burden in Port Harcourt, Nigeria;investigating potential risk factors and co-infection with HIV. Methodology: The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design sampling 200 inmates from the Port Harcourt Maximum Security Custodial Centre from July to December 2022. A well-structured questionnaire was administered via interviews in addition to screening for HIV-1/2 antibodies as well as COVID-19 antigens using rapid diagnostic test kits. Descriptive statistics and chi-square were carried out on the GraphPad Prism 9 software with statistical significance defined as a p-value of less than 0.05 at a 95% confidence interval. Result: The prevalence of HIV from the current study was 6.5%, COVID-19 prevalence was reported to be 12.5% while HIV/COVID-19 co-infection was 1.5% The duration of incarceration, face mask use, frequent visitations and vaccination against COVID-19 were found to be significantly associated with the prevalence of COVID-19 in the studied population (p Conclusion: The current study reports a relatively high prevalence of HIV and COVID-19 among the inmates in the study area. It becomes expedient for the administrators of the correctional facility to properly screen new inmates for COVID-19, quarantine and manage cases, as well as provide them with personal protective equipment such as face masks. In-person visitation should be balanced with measures to prevent the spread of the infection, and mass vaccination campaigns should be promoted. Improving access to HIV screening and therapy for all prisoners should be prioritised to identify and manage the incidence of HIV early, reducing the risk of transmission, mitigating comorbidities and improving health outcomes.展开更多
文摘Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) are significant global public health burdens associated with liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and are responsible for over a million deaths yearly. Prisons and other confined facilities offer opportunities for the acquisition and transmission of infectious diseases such as hepatitis B and C during and after imprisonment. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C as well as their associated risk factors among inmates in the Port Harcourt Maximum Security Custodial Centre. A cross-sectional study was conducted among inmates incarcerated in the Port Harcourt Maximum Security Custodial Centre from July to December 2022, and 200 consenting subjects completed a structured questionnaire in addition to screening for the presence of HBsAg and anti-HCV antibodies. Data generated from this study was represented as frequency and percentages, and inferential statistics were carried out using chi-square with the aid of GraphPad Prism Software Version 9. Statistical significance was defined as a p-value of less than 0.05 at a 95% confidence interval. The seroprevalence of HBV was 4% while 3.5% was recorded for HCV with no cases of co-infections reported. HBV seroprevalence was significantly associated with blood oath and a history of surgery (p p < 0.05). The findings from the current study highlight a relatively lower prevalence of HBV and HCV amongst inmates in Port Harcourt in comparison to studies in Nigeria. These infections can be further controlled by multifaceted approaches by the prison personnel, administration, and Government by employing combative measures such as regular screening, easy access to therapy, awareness, and vaccination programs for HBV are crucial to prevent the transmission of these diseases.
文摘Background: The burden of COVID-19 and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are some of the major and persistent global health challenges of the twenty-first century. HIV and COVID-19 are expected to overlap in high HIV-burden countries, posing several public health challenges as a result. Prisons are overcrowded, have limited space for social distancing and have inadequate ventilation systems, making it difficult to contain the spread of COVID-19 in addition to the high-risk behaviours of inmates which contribute to the spread of HIV within these facilities. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 among inmates in a prison facility with a relatively high HIV burden in Port Harcourt, Nigeria;investigating potential risk factors and co-infection with HIV. Methodology: The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design sampling 200 inmates from the Port Harcourt Maximum Security Custodial Centre from July to December 2022. A well-structured questionnaire was administered via interviews in addition to screening for HIV-1/2 antibodies as well as COVID-19 antigens using rapid diagnostic test kits. Descriptive statistics and chi-square were carried out on the GraphPad Prism 9 software with statistical significance defined as a p-value of less than 0.05 at a 95% confidence interval. Result: The prevalence of HIV from the current study was 6.5%, COVID-19 prevalence was reported to be 12.5% while HIV/COVID-19 co-infection was 1.5% The duration of incarceration, face mask use, frequent visitations and vaccination against COVID-19 were found to be significantly associated with the prevalence of COVID-19 in the studied population (p Conclusion: The current study reports a relatively high prevalence of HIV and COVID-19 among the inmates in the study area. It becomes expedient for the administrators of the correctional facility to properly screen new inmates for COVID-19, quarantine and manage cases, as well as provide them with personal protective equipment such as face masks. In-person visitation should be balanced with measures to prevent the spread of the infection, and mass vaccination campaigns should be promoted. Improving access to HIV screening and therapy for all prisoners should be prioritised to identify and manage the incidence of HIV early, reducing the risk of transmission, mitigating comorbidities and improving health outcomes.
