We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
PRELIMINARY DATA FROM THE VIRAL HEPATITIS MICRO-ELIMINATION PROJECT THROUGH HCV/HBC SCREENING IN PRISONERS IN ROMANIA.
- Authors
Diaconu, Sorina; Filip, Petruța; Tiucă, Nicoleta; Tomescu, Alina; Dugan, Cosmin; Marin, Maria; Ester, Carmen; Ghioca, Mihaela; Huiban, Laura; Trifan, Anca; Gheorghe, Liana; Pop, Corina
- Abstract
Background and Aims. Elimination of viral hepatitis represents a WHO objective that Romania undertook to fulfill it through the National Framework Plan for the control of viral hepatitis. Microelimination programs are recommended by WHO in order to reach the targets. Prisoners represent a population at risk for viral infection, considering multiple vulnerabilities: PWID, high-risk sexual behaviours and violence and the absence of screening upon incarceration. There are no standard protocols for HCV/HBV testing in Romanian prisons. A pilot study of HCV/HBV screening and linkage to care in prison setting was conducted using mobile medical teams in different prison facilities in three regions of Romania. Method. Multidisciplinary mobile teams were set up, coordinated by three University Hepatology Centers. A point-of-care anti-HCV and HBs-Ag tests and medical history were performed to prisoners and to staff. Only those positive for HBV/HCV rapid tests had blood collected for viremia and non-invasive tests and were selected for the hospital visit, for liver disease staging and treatment initiation. Results. For two years, multidisciplinary teams visited 18 detention centers in three regions of Romania - S-M, S-E, and N-E. Local awareness campaigns preceded every test visit. A number of 9950 persons deprived of liberty (PDL) and a number of 427 penitentiary staff were tested. The global prevalence of hepatitis B infection was 2.48 % and of hepatitis C infection was 9.9% with important diferences between centres and regions - 11,49% HCV infection vs 2,08% in the detention centres from the south part of the country and the N-E region, respectively. The greater part of tested were men (94%), with secondary education (51.7%) from urban areas (54.2%). 85.3% did not know they had hepatitis and had not been treated previously. Were highlighted 18.4% former PWID. 3.7% of PDL declared blood transfusions in the past, and a percentage of 28,2% declared previous surgical interventions. We specify these are interim data, the project being ongoing. Patients' medical records were processed and the eligible subjects started antiviral treatment after the hospital visit for complet diagnosis and staging. Conclusion. The prevalence of HCV and HBV in prisoners is significantly higher than in the general population. This ongoing project is a proof of concept that detection of incarcerated HCV/HBV positive patients and their linkage to care, in the prison environment in Romania, is feasible, prisons providing a rare opportunity for viral hepatitis microelimination.
- Subjects
ROMANIA; VIRAL hepatitis; HEPATITIS B; MEDICAL screening; HUDSON'S Bay Co.; MENTAL health screening; DISEASE prevalence; HEPATITIS C; VIRUS diseases
- Publication
Journal of Gastrointestinal & Liver Diseases, 2023, Vol 32, p11
- ISSN
1841-8724
- Publication type
Article