Prevalence and risk factors of HCV infection in a prison setting in Uttar Pradesh, India Tyagi Satyendra K1, Sovani Vishwas2, Dias Natasha Perpetua3,*, Tyagi Devika4, Saxena Shubra5 1Consultant Gastroenterologist, Meerut Medical Centre, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh 2MD Pharmacology, Founder and Director-Pharmawisdom, Mumbai, Maharashtra 3Manager Medical Services, Hetero Healthcare Ltd, Mumbai, Maharashtra; 4Research Assistant, Immunology, Imperial College, London; 5HCV Councillor, Meerut Medical centre, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh *Corresponding Author: Miss Natasha Perpetua Dias Manager Medical Services Hetero Healthcare Ltd, A/B-201/202, Dipti Classic, 32/34, W.T. Suren Road Andheri East, Mumbai, Maharashtra-400093 Mobile: +91 8433908376 Email: natasha.dias@heterohealthcare.com
Online published on 25 September, 2018. Abstract Hepatitis C virus (HCv) is the main cause of progressive liver diseases and has become a global public health problem. HCv infection is more frequently detected in inmates and the main risk factor associated with HCv infection in the prison populations is intravenous drug use (IVDU). There is a high risk of transmission among the general population after the release of the infected inmates. Therefore, a survey-based analysis was designed to understand the prevalence of HCv in the prison population and analyze the risk factors associated with it. A questionnaire-based survey of 1611 prisoners was conducted in a district jail in West Uttar Pradesh (UP), India. Patients were screened for HCv infection and survey information was collated based on personal history and jail medical officer's information. In this population the prevalence was found to be significantly higher in the inmates below 20 years and those unmarried. Those incarcerated one or more times earlier were more likely to be HCv positive. Although marriage was not a related factor, 72 of 168 positive cases were married. The level of awareness about HCv among the inmates were dismal with 98% of them knowing nothing about the disease. Other factors were not significantly associated with the spread of infection. The outcomes of the analysis highlighted the need to spread awareness about safe sex specifically among the youth. Testing spouses of the infected inmates and offering therapy to positive cases would help in controlling further transmission. Therefore, awareness and selective evaluation of spouses and sexual partners is the key along with availability of medicines. This data provokes some thoughts about benefits of remedial measures along with availability of drugs. Top Keywords Hepatitis C virus, HCV management, inmates, prisoners, prevalence, treatment, IVDU, India. Top |