Socio-demographic determinants of coinfections by HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses in central Italian prisoners.
BACKGROUND
The coinfections HIV/HCV/HBV are an important health issue in penitentiary communities. The aim of the study was to examine HIV, HBV and HCV coinfections determinants amongst prisoners in the jails of Southern Lazio (Central Italy), in the period 1995-2000.


METHODS
Diagnosis of seropositivities for HIV, HBV and HCV was made using ELISA method. A multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to verify the influence of socio-demographic factors on the HIV/HBV/HCV coinfections.


RESULTS
HIV/HCV, HBV/HCV and HIV/HBV coinfections were detected in 42 (4%), 203 (17.9%) and 31 (2.9%) inmates, respectively. These coinfections are significantly associated with the status of drug addiction (OR = 16.02; p = 0.012; OR = 4.15; p < 0.001; OR = 23.57; p = 0.002), smoking habits (OR = 3.73; p = 0.033; OR = 1.42; p = 0.088; OR = 4.25; p = 0.053) and Italian nationality (OR = 7.05; p = 0.009; OR = 2.31; p < 0.001; OR = 4.61; p = 0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of HIV, HBV and HCV seropositivity in jails suggests that information and education programs for inmates could be useful to reduce the spread of such infections.
La Torre
Giuseppe
G
Institute of Hygiene - Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. giuseppe.latorre@rm.unicatt.it
Miele
Luca
L
Chiaradia
Giacomina
G
Mannocci
Alice
A
Reali
Manuela
M
Gasbarrini
Giovanni
G
De Vito
Elisabetta
E
Grieco
Antonio
A
Ricciardi
Walter
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006678:HIV / Q000254:growth & development; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000254:growth & development; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000254:growth & development; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology