Hepatitis B in Wisconsin male prisoners: Considerations for serologic screening and vaccination

R.F. Anda, S.B. Perlman, D.J. D'Alessio, J.P. Davis and V.N. Dodson

American Journal of Public Health, 1985, vol. 75, issue 10, 1182-1185

Abstract: To develop a protocol for prevention of hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission in Wisconsin prisons, we interviewed 619 male prisoners at incarceration to obtain information on hepatitis B risk factors. We defined previous infections by the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs), or antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). Logistic regression was used to develop a model of relative risk (RR) of HBV infection. Use of illicit intravenous (IV) drugs was the most important risk factor because of a high prevalence of IV drug use and an RR which ranged from 2.93-7.47. Other important risk factors were: prior hepatitis or jaundice (RR = 6.28), race (RR = 2.54 for Blacks, RR = 3.28 for Latinos), transfusion (RR = 3.00), and age. Previous imprisonment was not an independent risk factor for HBV, hence selective serologic screening and vaccination of prisoners are justified rather than mass screening and vaccination. Based upon prevalence of hepatitis B markers in subgroups, it is necessary to screen prisoners with prior hepatitis or jaundice, prior transfusion, and users of IV drugs. The identification of HBsAg carriers by such screening could prevent infection of 'household' contacts. Users of IV drugs who are susceptible to HBV infection should be vaccinated. The remaining prisoners constitute a low-risk group for HBV infection and do not require serologic screening or vaccination.

Date: 1985
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

There are no downloads for this item, see the EconPapers FAQ for hints about obtaining it.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1985:75:10:1182-1185_6

Access Statistics for this article

American Journal of Public Health is currently edited by Alfredo Morabia

More articles in American Journal of Public Health from American Public Health Association
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Christopher F Baum ().