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Characterizing the Burden of Hepatitis C Infection Among Entrants to Pennsylvania State Prisons, 2004 to 2012

Overview
Journal J Correct Health Care
Publisher Mary Ann Liebert
Specialties Health Services
Public Health
Date 2015 Dec 17
PMID 26672118
Citations 7
Authors
Madeline K Mahowald
Sarah Larney
Nickolas D Zaller
Nicholas Scharff
Lynn E Taylor
Curt G Beckwith
Amanda Noska
Josiah D Rich
Timothy P Flanigan
Affiliations
Soon will be listed here.
Abstract

Although hepatitis C (HCV) infection is common among prisoners, relatively few undergo evaluation for treatment. This study reports the prevalence of chronic infection and the genotype distribution among an incarcerated population. HCV antibody testing was provided to adults entering Pennsylvania prisons; confirmatory and genotype testing were offered to those eligible for treatment. Antibody prevalence among 101,727 individuals was 18.1%. Among 7,633 individuals who underwent confirmatory testing, 69.3% had detectable RNA. Among 3,247 individuals who underwent genotype testing, genotype 1 was the most common (76.6%). The rate of chronic infection after HCV exposure is similar to that reported in the community, as is genotype distribution. Correctional facilities provide access to a population with a high disease burden, creating a public health opportunity for evaluation and treatment.

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Hepatitis C Epidemiology in a Large Urban Jail: A Changing Demographic.

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Evaluating peer-supported screening as a hepatitis C case-finding model in prisoners.

Crowley D, Murtagh R, Cullen W, Keevans M, Laird E, McHugh T Harm Reduct J. 2019; 16(1):42.

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The seroprevalence of untreated chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and associated risk factors in male Irish prisoners: a cross-sectional study, 2017.

Crowley D, Lambert J, Betts-Symonds G, Cullen W, Keevans M, Kelly E Euro Surveill. 2019; 24(14).

PMID: 30968825 PMC: 6462789. DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2019.24.14.1800369.

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