• J Long, S Allwright, J Barry, S R Reynolds, L Thornton, F Bradley, and J V Parry.
• Department of Community Health, Trinity College Center, Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin 24, Republic of Ireland.
• BMJ. 2001 Nov 24; 323 (7323): 1209-13.

ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen, hepatitis C virus, and HIV in entrants to Irish prisons and to examine risk factors for infection.DesignCross sectional, anonymous survey, with self completed risk factor questionnaire and oral fluid specimen for antibody testing.SettingFive of seven committal prisons in the Republic of Ireland.Participants607 of the 718 consecutive prison entrants from 6 April to 1 May 1999.Main Outcome MeasuresPrevalence of antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen, hepatitis C virus, and HIV in prison entrants, and self reported risk factor status.ResultsPrevalence of antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen was 37/596 (6%; 95% confidence interval 4% to 9%), to hepatitis C virus was 130/596 (22%; 19% to 25%), and to HIV was 12/596 (2%; 1% to 4%). A third of the respondents had never previously been in prison; these had the lowest prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (4/197, 2%), to hepatitis C (6/197, 3%), and to HIV (0/197). In total 29% of respondents (173/593) reported ever injecting drugs, but only 7% (14/197) of those entering prison for the first time reported doing so compared with 40% (157/394) of those previously in prison. Use of injected drugs was the most important predictor of antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen and hepatitis C virus.ConclusionsUse of injected drugs and infection with hepatitis C virus are endemic in Irish prisons. A third of prison entrants were committed to prison for the first time. Only a small number of first time entrants were infected with one or more of the viruses. These findings confirm the need for increased infection control and harm reduction measures in Irish prisons.

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