Compared Study of Hepatitis B Virus and AIDS Prevalence in a Penitentiary Center

Abstract

As a result of the problems created in a prisons by different sexual habits, drug comsuption, etc., we have carried out a study lasting five years in the prison of Granada, to verify what had happened in relation to the serological markers of the H.B.V. and AIDS. The serum of 483 prisoners was studied in 1984 and the serum of another 457 in 1989. An epidemiological survey was carried out at the same time. A clear increase in the parenteral consumption of ?hard? drugs has been seen, even though the total percentages of drug consumption have remained fairly similar. Likewise, serum found to be H.I.V. positive has increased significantly, clearly in relation to sexual promiscuity and parenteral drug consumption. There were no increases in H.B.V. during the five year study. The results of our study show that prisons are nodal points where a high number of individuals with risk factors come together and separate, but that they are, furtherwere, a reflection of the extrapenitenciary society.