Seroprevalence of markers for hepatitis B, C and G in male and female prisoners - NSW, 1996

Objectives: 1. Establish the prevalence of markers for hepatitis B (HBV), C (HCV) and G (HGV) in a sample of male and female inmates. 2. Examine expos ure to multiple viruses. 3. Compare risk factors for HGV infection with kno wn risk factors for HBV and HCV. Design: Cross-sectional random sample stratified by sex, age and Aboriginal ity. Inmates were screened for three hepatitis markers. Participants were 7 89 inmates (657 male, 132 female) in 27 correctional centres in New South W ales, 1996. Results: Overall detection of each of the three screening markers was 35% f or HBV, 39% for HCV and 10% for HGV. Exposure rates were higher in female p risoners than males. Increased rates of anti-HBc were observed in Aborigina l inmates compared with non-Aboriginals (54% cf. 27%); anti-HCV and HGV-RNA were comparable between the two groups (36% cf. 41% and 9% cf. 10%). Marke rs were significantly higher in female injecting drug users (IDU), particul arly HCV (90% cf. 66%). Thirty-five per cent of inmates were unaware of the ir HCV status. For HBV, 72% did not self-report past or present exposure de spite serological evidence to the contrary. The multivariate analysis ident ified Aboriginality, long-term injecting and injecting while in prison as r isk factors for HBV. HCV risk factors were female sex, non-Aboriginality, i nstitutionalisation and IDU-associated behaviours. Far HGV, female sex and previous imprisonment were significant risk factors but IDU was not. Conclusions: Blood-borne hepatitis viruses are common in prison inmates, pa rticularly females (HBV, HCV and HGV), Aboriginals (HBV) and IDU (HBV and H CV). Infection can be related to a number of risk factors, which appear sim ilar for HBV and HCV, but distinct from HGV.