title: Detection and treatment of HIV and hepatitis virus infections in Swiss correctional facilities.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to obtain an overview on diagnostic and therapeutic activities concerning hepatitis A, B, C virus and HIV in Swiss prisons.
  
  
  METHODS
  A standardized questionnaire was sent to 91 prisons in the German and Italian speaking parts in October 2004; 41 institutions (45%) answered the questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In almost all prisons serological examinations were not done routinely, but were provided when demanded by inmates or recommended by the medical service. Vaccination against hepatitis A or B infection and initiation of antiviral therapy was possible in most institutions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most of the prisons investigated offered diagnostic and antiviral treatment for hepatitis virus and HIV infections. A reported problem was the discontinuation of ongoing treatments or vaccination cycles after discharge. In some cases deficient funding was an obstacle.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Public Health and Addiction, Konradstrasse 32, P.O. Box 8031, Zurich, Switzerland. miriam.gerlich@isgf.uzh.ch
authors.forename: Miriam G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Gerlich
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Frick
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pirktl
authors.forename: Ambros
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Uchtenhagen
mesh_terms: D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013557:Switzerland
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents