Assessment of Hepatitis B Seroprevalence and Associated factors in Kality prison Addis Abeba Ethiopia
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2016-12
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Abstract
Background; Hepatitis is a general term meaning inflammation of the liver and can be caused
by different viruses. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is DNA virus causing hepatitis in human. The
prison setting has been shown to be a high risk environment for blood borne viral infections like
hepatitis B virus infections. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated
factors of hepatitis B virus infections among prison inmates in Kality Prison.
Objectives: Determining the prevalence and associated factors of HBV infections among
prison inmates at Kality Prison in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2016 – October 2016 data on
socio demographic and HBV risk factors were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire.
Two ml of venous blood samples were collected and serum was tested for hepatitis B virus
infections using commercially available rapid test kits. Data were analyzed using SPSS version
21.0. Logistic regression analysis was used and a P value < 0.05 was considered statistically
significant.
Results: A total of 457 prison inmates, 347 males and 100 females, with a mean age of 37.9
years were participated. Twenty-two participants (4.8%) were positive for hepatitis B surface
antigen. Our study revealed that inmates who had an experience of sharing sharp materials were
about 2.6 times (AOR =2.59; 95% CI: 1.04-6.43) at higher risk of hepatitis B seropositive,
compared to inmate who had no such experience. On the other hand, prison inmates who had
history of tooth extraction in the past were also about 2.8 times (AOR = 2.83; 95% CI: 1.11-
7.22) at the risk compared to those who had no such experience.
Conclusion: This study found that prison inmates had intermediate prevalence of hepatitis B
virus infections. Based on the findings of this study sharing of sharp materials and history of
tooth extraction are the most important risk factors for acquiring HBV infection in this prison.
Thus, improving the individual education and expanding the HBV vaccination coverage may
reduce the rate of infection in this subpopulation.
Key words: Hepatitis B virus , Prison.
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Keywords
Hepatitis B virus , Prison