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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Lei Chen, PhD1, Bob Salcido, MPH1, Richard Whitley, MS2, and Miguel Forero, BS3. (1) Bureau of Community Health, Nevada State Health Division, 505 E. King Street, Room 304, Carson City, NV 89701, 775 684 5940, lenachen@yahoo.com, (2) Bureau of Community Health, State of Nevada Health Division, 505 E. King Street, Carson City, NV 89701, (3) Nevada Department of Corrections, 4070 Silver Sage Drive, Carson City, NV 89701
A hepatitis needs assessment was conducted among inmates who were entering Nevada State correctional system from 11/5/01 through 12/30/01. The objectives were: 1) to assess the burden of hepatitis B and C infection in the special prison inmate population; 2) to examine risk factors associated with hepatitis B and C infection; 3) to identify individuals at risk either for hepatitis vaccination or for further medical consultation. Participants were screened for serum hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) and hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBC). Further supplementary serum tests were performed for positive specimen. Participants were also asked questions regarding demographics, risk behaviors, etc. Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) was applied for all markers. Specimen with positive anti-HCV by EIA will be confirmed by supplementary Recombinant Immunoblot Assay (RIBA). 451 out of 479 (95%) inmates who entered State prisons participated and were screened for anti-HCV and anti-HBC. 24.4% of inmates were infected with hepatitis C virus and 17.3% of inmates had the evidence of infection with hepatitis B virus. 9.8% of inmates were coinfected with hepatitis B and C virus. Conditional logistic regression results show that age, previous imprisonment, and injection drug use are highly significant indicators for hepatitis B, C infection or B and C coinfection of inmates. A total of 97 inmates infected with hepatitis C were identified for Twinrix (50 inmates), hepatitis B (32 inmates), and hepatitis A (15 inmates) vaccinations, respectively. In conclusion, a routine screening for hepatitis C among high-risk inmates in the correctional setting will be strongly encouraged.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to
Keywords: Prisoners Health Care, Needs Assessment
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.