Hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV in Irish prisoners, part II: prevalence and risk in committal prisoners 1999.

The results of a census survey of 1205 Irish prisoners, published in August 1999, showed that the prevalence of infection with hepatitis B was 9%, the prevalence of infection with hepatitis C was 37%, and the prevalence of infection with HIV was 2%. The current report presents the results of a survey of committal prisoners. The reason the committal survey was undertaken was to ensure adequate representation of short-term prisoners, and to determine if the prevalence of the infections differed in committal prisoners from that found in 'resident' prisoners. Five of the seven Irish committal prisons were included in the survey. A total of 607 prisoners took part in the survey, a response rate of 96%. The survey consisted of completing a four page questionnaire and collecting a sample of oral fluid for testing for antibodies to hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. The fieldwork was carried out between 6th April and 1st May 1999. Overall the prevalence of infection with hepatitis B among committal prisoners was 6%, the prevalence of infection with hepatitis C was 37% and the prevalence of HIV was 2%. Almost one quarter (140/596) of the committal prisoners tested and evidence of at least one of the three infections. Prevalence in women prisoners was significantly higher: 22% for hepatitis B, 56% for hepatitis C, and 10% for HIV. Prevalence was also higher among drug users (18% for hepatitis B, 72% for hepatitis C, and 6% for HIV) and in the Dublin prisons. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that injecting drug use was by far the most important predictor of hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection. Female gender was an independent risk factor for all three infections. Reporting treatment for sexually transmitted infection, and increasing time spent in prison, were also associated with higher rates of hepatitis C. Among injecting drug users, sharing needles in prison and high frequencies of injecting in the previous month were linked to increased risk of hepatitis C infection. The prevalence of HIV was higher in those who had spent more than three of the last 10 years in prisons

Understanding substances and substance use: a handbook for teachers.

This booklet aims to provide accurate evidence-based information to promote understanding of drugs and drug use. Includes definitions of terms, signs and symptoms of drug use, responses to drug use situations within a school context, guidelines for speaking about drugs, contacts and resources list

Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV and risk factors in entrants to Irish prisons: a national cross sectional survey

OBJECTIVES: To 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. DESIGN: Cross sectional, anonymous survey, with self completed risk factor questionnaire and oral fluid specimen for antibody testing. SETTING: Five of seven committal prisons in the Republic of Ireland. PARTICIPANTS: 607 of the 718 consecutive prison entrants from 6 April to 1 May 1999. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen, hepatitis C virus, and HIV in prison entrants, and self reported risk factor status. RESULTS: Prevalence 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. CONCLUSIONS: Use 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