Hepatitis A, B, C and HIV infections among Finnish female prisoners – Young females a risk group

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http://www.journalofinfection.com/article/PIIS0163445310003427/abstract?rss=yes

JOURNAL OF INFECTION

Hepatitis A, B, C and HIV infections among Finnish female prisoners – Young

females a risk group

P. Viitanenab, H. Vartiainenacd, J. Aarnioab, V. von Gruenewaldta, S.

Hakamäkiab, T. Lintonenbe, A.K. Mattilabf, T. Wuolijokiab, M. Joukamaabf

Accepted 26 October 2010. published online 06 December 2010.

Corrected Proof

Summary

Objectives

Previous prison studies have shown that the female gender is associated with

higher hepatitis C prevalence. However, there are few prison studies of gender

differences concerning the risk factors of hepatitis C infections. We studied

the prevalence of hepatitis and HIV infections and the risk factors among

Finnish female prisoners.

Methods

The material consisted of 88 females and 300 male prisoners as controls.

Results

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies was 52%, hepatitis B surface

antigen 0%, hepatitis A virus antibodies 38% and HIV antibodies 1% among women,

and 44%, 0.7%, 4% and 0.7% respectively among men. Among women, 71% of the age

group 16–24 had HCV. There was no significant association between gender and

HCV. Women were more commonly sharing syringes/needles and had unsafe sexual

habits. Among women, HCV was associated only with IDU and syringe/needle sharing

whereas among men also with tattoos, cumulative years in prison and age.

Conclusions

Especially young females had a high prevalence of HCV. The study showed that the

risk factors are differentiated by gender. This should be taken into account

when assessing earlier studies which mainly concentrate on men.

a Prison Health Services, Vanajantie 10 B, PO Box 47, FI-13101 Hämeenlinna,

Finland

b Tampere School of Public Health, Medisiinarinkatu 3, FI-33014 University of

Tampere, Finland

c Medical School, University of Tampere, Finland

d Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Kuopio, Finland

e The Police College of Finland, Vaajakatu 2, PO Box 123, FI-33721 Tampere,

Finland

f Department of Psychiatry, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland

Corresponding author. Prison Hospital, PO Box 181, FI-13101 Hämeenlinna,

Finland. Tel.: +358 103681589, mobile +358 503502199; fax +358 103681655.

PII: S0163-4453(10)00342-7

doi:10.1016/j.jinf.2010.10.011

© 2010 Published by Elsevier Inc.