Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and syphilis among prison inmates and officers at Nsawam and Accra, Ghana

• DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.46414-0
• Publication Date: 2006-04-03T21:48:02Z
• Authors: Andrew A. Adjei; Henry B. Armah; Foster Gbagbo; William K. Ampofo; Isaac K. E. Quaye; Ian F. A. Hesse; George Mensah
• Keywords: Seroprevalence; Hepatitis C; Hepatitis B

Although the high prevalence of blood-borne viral infections and syphilis in correctional facilities has been well documented globally, such data are sparse from Africa, there no Ghana. This study sought to estimate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV), C (HCV) among prison inmates officers at prisons Nsawan Accra, Prisoners 3 46 Ghana were surveyed May 2004 2005. Subjects voluntarily completed a risk-factor questionnaire provided blood specimens for unlinked anonymous testing presence antibodies HIV, HCV Treponema pallidum, causative agent syphilis, surface antigen (HBsAg). Almost 16 % (3770) total 23 980 eligible, 281 (7·5 %) those eligible took part, whilst almost (1120) 4910 82 (7·3 part. For tested, HIV seroprevalence was 19·2 %, 17·4 had HBsAg, reactive serology noted 11 %. 8·5 3·7 23·2 4·9 The indicate higher (both officers) than general population Ghana, suggesting their probable transmission through intravenous drug use, unsafe sexual behaviour tattooing as pertains worldwide.