HIV Infection, HIV/HCV and HIV/HBV co-infections among Jail Inmates of Lahore

Human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infection constitutes an important prison health care concern but data on HIV epidemiology among jail inmates of developing world including Pakistan is limited. The present study was carried out to find out the prevalence of HIV infection among inmates of two jails of Lahore, Pakistan. Cross sectional prevalence survey of a total of 4915 jail inmates [4498 male and 417 females] was conducted during a seven months period, from May 2009 to November 2009 in the inmates of "District and Central Jails of Lahore". They were divided into four groups according to age. A blood sample was collected from each survey participant. All collected blood samples were screened for HIV antibodies, HBsAg and anti-HCV with rapid testing immunochromatographic [ICT] kits. All positive test results were confirmed by using the ELISA technique. The overall HIV prevalence rate was 2.01% and 77.78% of them had co-infections. HIV/HCV co-infection was detected in 73.74% of HIV positive inmates. Among women prisoners, one Pakistani and four Africans were found HIV positive. HIV infection and HBV/HCV co-infection was more prevalent in the age group 16-30 years. The prevalence rate of HIV infection and its HBV/HCV co-infection in jail inmates is much higher than the general population and the prevalence rate reported earlier from other jails in Pakistan. Health information on jail populations is important as this is a vulnerable group, with frequent movement in and out of the general community. Urgent prevention efforts are needed as HIV prevalence is already 2%

Jail population; a survey for HBV, HCV and HIV infections

The infections with hepatitis B virus [HBV], hepatitis C virus [HCV] and human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] are common among prisoners but such data are sparse from Pakistan; hence in this study, we evaluated the sero-prevalence of these three infections among Jail inmates. Cross-sectional survey. Central Jail, Lahore. May to November 2009. Investigate the seroprevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV infections among the random population of sentenced inmates of Central Jail, Lahore. We examined 3062 jail inmates, 396 of them were females and 2666 males. Majority of the inmates were Pakistani national [97.06%]. All collected blood samples were tested for HIV antibodies, HBsAg, and anti-HCV antibodies with one step chromatographic immunoassay. Seroprevalence rate of HCV, HBV and HIV infections was 15.31%, 3.46% and 1.79% respectively. Overall prevalence of these infections in the jail inmates was 20.57% and 18.77% of them were positive for markers of viral hepatitis B/C. We evaluated that jail inmates in Pakistan had a high incidence of HCV, HBV and HIV infections. Regular testing is required to identify infected prisoners and refer them for appropriate treatment. In addition, general disease prevention efforts are needed to minimize transmission of these viral infections in this subpopulation, before and after release

Frequency of hepatitis B and C infections in the general population of Lahore, Pakistan

In the recent times, viral hepatic infections [HBV and HCV] have become common and the most important cause of liver disease. It is posing a great health problem especially in the developing world. The importance of hepatitis B and hepatitis C is illustrated by the fact that these infections are imposing a heavy burden on national economy and individual families due to considerable morbidity and mortality from both acute infection and chronic sequelae including chronic active hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The present study was carried out to determine the frequency of HBV and HCV infections in the general population of Lahore and to highlight the magnitude of the problem. The study was conducted during the 'Free Hepatitis Camp' held at Services Hospital, Lahore - Pakistan for a period of one week from May 18 to May 25, 2007. It is a descriptive / cross sectional study. Blood specimens were collected using approved medical techniques and tested for HBsAg and anti-HCV on 3rd generation ELISA system. This study was conducted in the general population of Lahore and a total of 992 subjects were screened for both hepatitis B and C. Sero-positivity for hepatitis B and C were detected in 30.94% of the subjects. The prevalence of HCV among the total subjects studied was 21.7%, hepatitis B, 8.06% and hepatitis B and C [dual infection] 1.31%. Sero-prevalence in females and males of HBsAg was 1.61% and 6.45% and of anti HCV antibodies 10.38% and 11.19% respectively. It is concluded that about 1/3rd of the studied population is sero-positive for hepatitis B or hepatitis C or both infections and this figure is alarmingly high. It further concludes that the frequency of HCV infection is much more common than that of HBV. It raises concern about the increasing disease burden in future and effectiveness of preventive programs/methodologies. Practical implementation of recommended preventive measures in true sense is crucial to prevent or at least reduce the consequences of viral hepatitis in risk groups. There is considerable HCV and HBV threat to our population and require a genuine need for strict adherence to preventive measures