Correlates of hepatitis C virus seropositivity in prison inmates: a meta-analysis

[Guest guest]

http://jech.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/62/4/305

Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 2008;62:305-313;

doi:10.1136/jech.2006.051599

EVIDENCE-BASED POLICY AND PRACTICE

Correlates of hepatitis C virus seropositivity in prison inmates: a

meta-analysis

M F Vescio1, B Longo1, S Babudieri2, G Starnini3, S Carbonara4, G Rezza1, R

Monarca5

1 Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Istituto Superiore di Sanitè, Rome, Italy

2 Istituto di Malattie Infettive, Universitè di Sassari, Sassari, Italy

3 Dipartimento Amministrazione Penitenziaria, Ministero della Giustizia, Rome,

Italy

4 Clinica Malattie Infettive, Universitè degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy

5 Polo Infettivologico, Centro Riferimento AIDS, ASL Viterbo, Italy

Correspondence to:

Dr Giovanni Rezza, Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Istituto Superiore di

Sanitè, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; g.rezza@...

Background: The prevalence of infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is higher

among prison inmates compared with the general population because of the high

proportion of injecting drug users (IDU).

Methods: A meta-analysis of studies on HCV infection in the correctional system

was performed. The main objective was to analyse risk factors for HCV infection

and to assess HCV seroprevalence and incidence in prison.

Results: Thirty studies were included in the meta-analysis on HCV prevalence.

IDU were approximately 24 times more likely than non-IDU to be HCV positive. The

odds ratio of being HCV positive was three times higher for inmates exposed to

tattooing than those not exposed. The odds ratio among women was 1.44 compared

with men.

Conclusions: The differences in HCV seroprevalence among studies can largely be

explained by differences in the proportion of inmates who are IDU and partly by

differences in seroprevalence among IDU in the community. Tattooing and female

gender were also associated with HCV positivity. These findings should be taken

into account when planning prevention activities in prisons.

_________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

http://jech.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/62/4/305

Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 2008;62:305-313;

doi:10.1136/jech.2006.051599

EVIDENCE-BASED POLICY AND PRACTICE

Correlates of hepatitis C virus seropositivity in prison inmates: a

meta-analysis

M F Vescio1, B Longo1, S Babudieri2, G Starnini3, S Carbonara4, G Rezza1, R

Monarca5

1 Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Istituto Superiore di Sanitè, Rome, Italy

2 Istituto di Malattie Infettive, Universitè di Sassari, Sassari, Italy

3 Dipartimento Amministrazione Penitenziaria, Ministero della Giustizia, Rome,

Italy

4 Clinica Malattie Infettive, Universitè degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy

5 Polo Infettivologico, Centro Riferimento AIDS, ASL Viterbo, Italy

Correspondence to:

Dr Giovanni Rezza, Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Istituto Superiore di

Sanitè, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; g.rezza@...

Background: The prevalence of infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is higher

among prison inmates compared with the general population because of the high

proportion of injecting drug users (IDU).

Methods: A meta-analysis of studies on HCV infection in the correctional system

was performed. The main objective was to analyse risk factors for HCV infection

and to assess HCV seroprevalence and incidence in prison.

Results: Thirty studies were included in the meta-analysis on HCV prevalence.

IDU were approximately 24 times more likely than non-IDU to be HCV positive. The

odds ratio of being HCV positive was three times higher for inmates exposed to

tattooing than those not exposed. The odds ratio among women was 1.44 compared

with men.

Conclusions: The differences in HCV seroprevalence among studies can largely be

explained by differences in the proportion of inmates who are IDU and partly by

differences in seroprevalence among IDU in the community. Tattooing and female

gender were also associated with HCV positivity. These findings should be taken

into account when planning prevention activities in prisons.

_________________________________________________________________

Back to work after baby–how do you know when you’re ready?

http://lifestyle.msn.com/familyandparenting/articleNW.aspx?cp-documentid=5797498\

& ocid=T067MSN40A0701A

[Guest guest]

http://jech.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/62/4/305

Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 2008;62:305-313;

doi:10.1136/jech.2006.051599

EVIDENCE-BASED POLICY AND PRACTICE

Correlates of hepatitis C virus seropositivity in prison inmates: a

meta-analysis

M F Vescio1, B Longo1, S Babudieri2, G Starnini3, S Carbonara4, G Rezza1, R

Monarca5

1 Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Istituto Superiore di Sanitè, Rome, Italy

2 Istituto di Malattie Infettive, Universitè di Sassari, Sassari, Italy

3 Dipartimento Amministrazione Penitenziaria, Ministero della Giustizia, Rome,

Italy

4 Clinica Malattie Infettive, Universitè degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy

5 Polo Infettivologico, Centro Riferimento AIDS, ASL Viterbo, Italy

Correspondence to:

Dr Giovanni Rezza, Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Istituto Superiore di

Sanitè, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; g.rezza@...

Background: The prevalence of infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is higher

among prison inmates compared with the general population because of the high

proportion of injecting drug users (IDU).

Methods: A meta-analysis of studies on HCV infection in the correctional system

was performed. The main objective was to analyse risk factors for HCV infection

and to assess HCV seroprevalence and incidence in prison.

Results: Thirty studies were included in the meta-analysis on HCV prevalence.

IDU were approximately 24 times more likely than non-IDU to be HCV positive. The

odds ratio of being HCV positive was three times higher for inmates exposed to

tattooing than those not exposed. The odds ratio among women was 1.44 compared

with men.

Conclusions: The differences in HCV seroprevalence among studies can largely be

explained by differences in the proportion of inmates who are IDU and partly by

differences in seroprevalence among IDU in the community. Tattooing and female

gender were also associated with HCV positivity. These findings should be taken

into account when planning prevention activities in prisons.

_________________________________________________________________

Back to work after baby–how do you know when you’re ready?

http://lifestyle.msn.com/familyandparenting/articleNW.aspx?cp-documentid=5797498\

& ocid=T067MSN40A0701A

[Guest guest]

http://jech.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/62/4/305

Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 2008;62:305-313;

doi:10.1136/jech.2006.051599

EVIDENCE-BASED POLICY AND PRACTICE

Correlates of hepatitis C virus seropositivity in prison inmates: a

meta-analysis

M F Vescio1, B Longo1, S Babudieri2, G Starnini3, S Carbonara4, G Rezza1, R

Monarca5

1 Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Istituto Superiore di Sanitè, Rome, Italy

2 Istituto di Malattie Infettive, Universitè di Sassari, Sassari, Italy

3 Dipartimento Amministrazione Penitenziaria, Ministero della Giustizia, Rome,

Italy

4 Clinica Malattie Infettive, Universitè degli Studi di Bari, Bari, Italy

5 Polo Infettivologico, Centro Riferimento AIDS, ASL Viterbo, Italy

Correspondence to:

Dr Giovanni Rezza, Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Istituto Superiore di

Sanitè, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy; g.rezza@...

Background: The prevalence of infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is higher

among prison inmates compared with the general population because of the high

proportion of injecting drug users (IDU).

Methods: A meta-analysis of studies on HCV infection in the correctional system

was performed. The main objective was to analyse risk factors for HCV infection

and to assess HCV seroprevalence and incidence in prison.

Results: Thirty studies were included in the meta-analysis on HCV prevalence.

IDU were approximately 24 times more likely than non-IDU to be HCV positive. The

odds ratio of being HCV positive was three times higher for inmates exposed to

tattooing than those not exposed. The odds ratio among women was 1.44 compared

with men.

Conclusions: The differences in HCV seroprevalence among studies can largely be

explained by differences in the proportion of inmates who are IDU and partly by

differences in seroprevalence among IDU in the community. Tattooing and female

gender were also associated with HCV positivity. These findings should be taken

into account when planning prevention activities in prisons.

_________________________________________________________________

Back to work after baby–how do you know when you’re ready?

http://lifestyle.msn.com/familyandparenting/articleNW.aspx?cp-documentid=5797498\

& ocid=T067MSN40A0701A