Spread of bloodborne viruses among Australian prison entrants

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To assess spread of bloodborne viruses among prison entrants in Victoria, Australia. DESIGN: Voluntary confidential testing of all prison entrants for markers of exposure to bloodborne viruses with collection of minimal data on demography and risk factors over 12 months. SETTING: Her Majesty's Prisons, Pentridge and Fairlea, Victoria, Australia. SUBJECTS: 3429 male and 198 female prison entrants (> 99% of all prison entrants); 344 entered prison and were tested more than once. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence and incidence of antibodies to HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C viruses, and minimal data on risk factors. RESULTS: 1562 (46%) gave a history of use of injected drugs, 117..