title: Trends in HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C prevalence among Australian prisoners - 2004, 2007, 2010.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the prevalence of markers for HIV infection, hepatitis B and hepatitis C among Australian prison entrants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey conducted over 2-week periods in 2004, 2007 and 2010.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reception prisons in New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Individuals entering prison from the community during the survey periods.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prevalence of anti-HIV antibody (anti-HIV), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) and anti-hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 1742 prison entrants: 588 (33.8%) in 2004, 536 (30.8%) in 2007 and 618 (35.5%) in 2010. The age-standardised prevalence estimates for anti-HIV, HBsAg and anti-HBc were 0.4%, 2.3% and 21.7% respectively, and remained stable over the three survey periods. The age-standardised prevalence estimate for anti-HCV was 29.0%; it decreased over time (33.3% in 2004 v 23.2% in 2010; P = 0.001), and this coincided with a decrease in prison entrants reporting injecting drug use (58.3% [343/588] in 2004 v 45.3% [280/618] in 2010; P < 0.001). Among injecting drug users, the prevalence of anti-HCV was 57.2% and did not change significantly over time. Of those who were anti-HCV positive, 33.7% (140/415) were unaware of their infection status, and 74.3% (185/249) of those who tested positive for anti-HBc reported that they had never had hepatitis B.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HIV prevalence is low in the Australian prisoner population but transmission remains a risk. Despite a decrease in the proportion of prison entrants reporting injecting drug use, prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C has remained high. Treatment and prevention initiatives should be prioritised for this population.
authors.affiliation: Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia. jreekie@kirby.unsw.edu.au.
authors.forename: Joanne M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Reekie
authors.affiliation: ANU College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.affiliation: Communicable Diseases Unit, Queensland Health, Queensland Government, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Alun H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.affiliation: Correctional Primary Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, Tasmanian Government, Hobart, TAS, Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Wake
authors.affiliation: Forensic Health Services, Australasian Hepatology Association, Hobart, TAS, Australia.
authors.forename: Deborah A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Siddall
authors.affiliation: Department of Corrective Services, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Holly M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Beasley
authors.affiliation: Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Shalin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Tony G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Butler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011330:Prisons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications; D055815:Young Adult