Hepatitis C infection and psychiatric burden in two imprisoned cohorts: Young offenders and opioid-maintained prisoners

Marisa Silbernagl, Rudolf Slamanig, Gabriele Fischer and Laura Brandt

Health Policy, 2018, vol. 122, issue 12, 1392-1402

Abstract: Prisoners constitute a considerable gap in the hepatitis C virus (HCV) tested population. The present study examined HCV prevalence in imprisoned opioid-maintained patients (OMT-P) and adolescents and young adults (AYA, 14–26 years). In addition, HCV testing and treatment provision, knowledge of HCV status and psychiatric comorbidity were assessed. Data collection took place in six Austrian prisons. Participants were N = 133 for OMT-P (78% male, mean age 35.7 years) and N = 71 for AYA (100% male, mean age 19.8 years). Analysis of HCV serology was conducted. Psychiatric comorbidity and addiction severity were assessed applying standardized questionnaires and interviews. Antibodies were detected in 74.4% of OMT-P, and in 45.0% HCV infection was confirmed. Only one AYA was infected with HCV. None of the participants was receiving treatment for HCV. Eleven percent of OMT-P (50.7% of AYA) did not know their HCV status, and 14.3% of OMT-P (36.6% of AYA) had not been tested in prison. Among OMT-P, lifetime IDU [OR = 330.33, CI = 25.91–4433.20] and age at first IDU [OR = 0.90, CI = 0.82–0.98] significantly predicted HCV status. In both samples, a high prevalence of affective disorders was observed. Despite the high prevalence of HCV among opioid-dependent detainees, the unique opportunities for comprehensive testing and treatment of HCV are substantially underutilized. This is in stark contrast to the UN Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners.

Keywords: Hepatitis C; Prevalence; Prison; Opioid maintenance treatment; Psychiatric burden (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:hepoli:v:122:y:2018:i:12:p:1392-1402

DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2018.10.005

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