title: Prevalence of anti-HCV in an inmate population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the prevalence of hepatitis C using a rapid hepatitis C virus (HCV) test in an inmate population from the countryside of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  Through a descriptive study, 195 inmates were evaluated by random sampling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 9.7% of the inmates were positive. In this analysis, the variable injectable drug use was predictive of HCV infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high prevalence of positive serology for HCV observed among the inmates is of particular concern, as it is much higher than in the general population. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct specific approach campaigns to gather more information on infectious diseases in prison settings, as well as to provide appropriate treatment to prevent viral dissemination.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Course, Universidade de Santa Cruz do Sul (UNISC), Santa Cruz do Sul, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernanda da
authors.initials: Fd
authors.lastname: Rosa
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carneiro
authors.forename: Luciano Nunes
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Duro
authors.forename: Andreia Rosane de Moura
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Valim
authors.forename: Cézane Priscila
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Reuter
authors.forename: Miria Suzana
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Burgos
authors.forename: Lia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Possuelo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016485:Needle Sharing; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies