title: Prevalence and Risk Factors of HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B and C Among Female Prisoners in Isfahan, Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Female prisoners are at risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs). There has been no previous study regarding the epidemiological status of STIs among female prisoners in Isfahan, central Iran.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of the aforementioned infections among women incarcerated in the central prison, Isfahan, to determine appropriate prevention measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross-sectional study, all of the 163 women incarcerated in the central prison, Isfahan in 2009, were voluntarily enrolled by the census method. After completing a checklist consisting of demographic, social, and risk factors, a 5ml blood sample was taken from each individual. The sera were analyzed for markers of the hepatitis B virus (HBV; HBsAg, HBsAb, HBcAb), hepatitis C virus (HCV; HCV antibodies), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; HIV antibodies), and syphilis (RPR). Confirmatory tests were performed on HCV antibody-positive cases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the participants in the study was 34.54 ± 11.2 years old, 94.3% of these women were Iranian, and many of them had only a primary level of education. The prevalence of HBsAg, HBcAb, HBsAb, and HCV antibodies were; 1.2%, 7.4%, 12.9% and 7.4% respectively. No positive RPR or HIV antibodies were detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A significant relationship was seen between the HCV antibody, drug injection and illegal sex in the women, and also between HBc-Ab and drug injection. Regular screening, educational programs, and facilitation of access to suitable treatment care should be widely implemented in the prison population. Testing for immunity against HBV should be considered on admission, and afterwards vaccination of all prisoners and an appropriate preventative approach should be applied.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Zary
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Nokhodian
authors.forename: Mohammad Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Yazdani
authors.forename: Majid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yaran
authors.forename: Parisa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shoaei
authors.forename: Mina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mirian
authors.forename: Behrooz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ataei
authors.forename: Anahita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Babak
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ataie