[The hepatitis C virus among the prison population of Valencia].
OBJECTIVE
To know the prevalence of anti-VHC in the Valencia Male Penitentiary Centre.


METHODS
A prospective study in which a representative sample of the inmates is included. In each case the anti-VHC and the ALT are studied. Serological results were correlated with history of intravenous drug addiction, alcohol abuse and duration and number of internments. INMATES: 750 inmates are included; they represent 41% of the people interned in this Centre during 1991.


RESULTS
A high prevalence (45%) of the serological marker for VHC infection was observed. The prevalence of anti-VHC+ among the drug addict inmates is around 90% and this situation was already found during the first year of drug addiction. Among non-drug addict inmates the prevalence is 14%. Hepatitis C virus infection has a correlation with the duration and number of internments; 75% of the inmates with high ALT values have anti-VHC+.


CONCLUSIONS
Nearly half of the inmates are infected with hepatitis C virus. The drug addict inmates are infected during the first year of their habit. The majority of the inmates with elevated ALT has anti-VHC+.
Añón
C
C
Equipo de Salud, Centro Penitenciario de Preventivos, Picassent, Valencia.
del Olmo
J A
JA
Llovet
F
F
Serra
M A
MA
Gilabert
S
S
Rodríguez
F
F
Rodrigo
J M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies
Virus C de la hepatitis entre la población penitenciaria de Valencia.