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Survey of risk behaviour and HIV prevalence in an English prison
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1999
Year
English PrisonSubstance UseCriminal LawSocial SciencesHiv Point PrevalenceRisk BehaviourHiv PrevalencePublic HealthSexual And Reproductive HealthPenologyHivOffender ClassificationEpidemiologyCriminal JusticeSubstance AbuseSexual HealthTreatment And PreventionHiv InfectionCarceral SettingMedicine
An anonymous, voluntary, linked cohort study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of HIV infection and identify risk factors for the spread of infection in an English prison. Three hundred and seventy-eight (68%) of the inmates participated. The HIV point prevalence was 0.26%. Injecting drug use (IDU) was the most significant HIV risk factor within 20% admitting IDU at any time, of whom 58% injected whilst in prison. Of those injecting in prison 73% shared needles. Two inmates admitted having sex with a male partner in prison. This study demonstrates that the potential exists in this setting for an outbreak of blood-borne virus infection; hapatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV infection. Injecting drug use and needle sharing represent the greatest risk.