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

HIV-1 Infection In The Correctional Setting

HIV infection is a major public health problem in prisons and jails. In several correctional systems, AIDS has become the leading cause of death. Seroprevalence estimates for different systems in the United States and Europe range form 0 percent to 18 percent among inmates entering prison, indicating geographic variation. Reported HIV rates are higher among females compared to males, among inmates over 25 years, and among racial/ethnic minorities. The major established risk behavior for HIV infection among prison inmates is a history of pre-incarceration intravenous drug use. The prison and jail setting provides an opportunity to educate, counsel, test, and treat individuals at risk for HIV infection who otherwise might have a very limited access to care. Services to this population must be voluntary and confidential.

Sources of heterogeneity in hepatitis B virus (HBV) seroprevalence estimates from U.S. adult incarcerated populations: A systematic review and meta-regression analysis

HBV seroprevalence estimates from U.S. incarcerated populations are relatively high. However, the usefulness of these estimates for guiding HBV-related correctional healthcare policy is limited by wide variation in estimates across studies and little understanding of the sources of this variation. The authors systematically reviewed studies indexed from 1975-2005, meeting pre-specified criteria and reporting HBV seroprevalence estimates from U.S. adult incarcerated populations. Using meta-regression techniques, the authors investigated report type, geographical region, serum collection year, facility type, serum source, sampling procedures, sample characteristics, and measurement procedures as potential study-level sources of heterogeneity in prevalence estimates for common HBV seromarkers. In bivariable meta-regression analyses, mean age ≥31 years was strongly associated with increased HBsAg prevalence (POR=2.6), and serum collection year before 1991 was strongly associated with increased prevalence of any positive marker (POR=2.0). Other moderate-to-strong associations were observed, but these were considered less certain because of small numbers of observations, influence of single studies, or potential confounding. Potential sources of heterogeneity should be considered when comparing HBV seroprevalence estimates in adult U.S. incarcerated populations and when developing HBV screening and vaccination protocols in correctional settings.

Community incidence of hepatitis B and C among reincarcerated women

BACKGROUND

The incarceration rate has increased 239% in the United States over the past 2 decades. This increase in incarceration has been fueled by the movement towards a criminal, rather than medical, response to the problem of drug dependence. For women in particular, incarceration and drug use are interdependent epidemics. Given that incarceration is common among drug-dependent persons, infectious diseases--including hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection--are prevalent among incarcerated persons. We sought to determine the incidence of HBV and HCV infection among recidivist women prisoners.

METHODS

From 1996 through 1997, excess from serum samples collected during HIV testing of female admittees to a state Department of Corrections facility were tested for HBV and HCV. Multiple samples obtained from women incarcerated multiple times during the study period were compared for incidence.

RESULTS

Baseline prevalences of markers of HBV and HCV were 36% and 34%, respectively. Incidence rates for HBV and HCV infection among reincarcerated women were 12.2 and 18.2 per 100 person-years, respectively. The majority of the time spent between serial intakes was not spent in the correctional facility; thus, incident infections likely occurred in the community.

CONCLUSIONS

Incidences of HBV and HCV infection among reincarcerated women were high. Prisons and jails can be efficient locations for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of hepatitis B and C through programs such as testing, counseling, education, vaccination, and linkage to medical and drug treatment services.

Prisoners' attitudes toward Hepatitis B vaccination

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis B continues to be a substantial problem in the United States despite the existence of a safe and effective vaccine. Vaccination programs for inmates could reach many high-risk individuals but little is known about U.S. inmates' willingness to accept hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination while incarcerated. The goal of this study was to assess inmates' knowledge about hepatitis B and their willingness to accept hepatitis B vaccination while incarcerated.

METHODS

We interviewed 153 male and female inmates at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC) using a voluntary, anonymous survey.

RESULTS

Ninety-three percent of inmates said they would agree to receive the hepatitis B vaccine while incarcerated. More than half of the 30% who reported having risk factors for hepatitis B did not consider themselves to be at risk for hepatitis B and almost half (44%) of all inmates were not aware that hepatitis B can be transmitted through unprotected sex.

CONCLUSION

Hepatitis B vaccination programs in correctional settings are a public health priority and would be well received by the target population. Such programs would help protect the health of incarcerated persons and the communities to which they return.

An economic assessment of pre-vaccination screening for hepatitis A and B

OBJECTIVE

The availability of a single vaccine active against hepatitis A and B may facilitate prevention of both infections, but complicates the question of whether to conduct pre-vaccination screening. The authors examined the cost-effectiveness of pre-vaccination screening for several populations: first-year college students, military recruits, travelers to hepatitis A-endemic areas, patients at sexually transmitted disease clinics, and prison inmates.

METHODS

Three prevention protocols were examined: (1) screen and defer vaccination until serology results are known; (2) screen and begin vaccination immediately to avoid a missed vaccination opportunity; and (3) vaccinate without screening. Data describing pre-vaccination immunity, vaccine effectiveness, and prevention costs borne by the health system (i.e., serology, vaccine acquisition, and administration) were derived from published literature and U.S. government websites. Using spreadsheet models, the authors calculated the ratio of prevention costs to the number of vaccine protections conferred.

RESULTS

The vaccinate without screening protocol was most cost-effective in nine of 10 analyses conducted under baseline assumptions, and in 69 of 80 sensitivity analyses. In each population considered, vaccinate without screening was less costly than and at least equally as effective as screen and begin vaccination. The screen and defer vaccination protocol would reduce costs in seven populations, but effectiveness would also be lower.

CONCLUSIONS

Unless directed at vaccination candidates with the highest probability of immunity, pre-vaccination screening for hepatitis A and B immunity is not cost-effective. Balancing cost reduction with reduced effectiveness, screen and defer may be preferred for older travelers and prison inmates.

An economic assessment of pre-vaccination screening for hepatitis A and B

OBJECTIVE

The availability of a single vaccine active against hepatitis A and B may facilitate prevention of both infections, but complicates the question of whether to conduct pre-vaccination screening. The authors examined the cost-effectiveness of pre-vaccination screening for several populations: first-year college students, military recruits, travelers to hepatitis A-endemic areas, patients at sexually transmitted disease clinics, and prison inmates.

METHODS

Three prevention protocols were examined: (1) screen and defer vaccination until serology results are known; (2) screen and begin vaccination immediately to avoid a missed vaccination opportunity; and (3) vaccinate without screening. Data describing pre-vaccination immunity, vaccine effectiveness, and prevention costs borne by the health system (i.e., serology, vaccine acquisition, and administration) were derived from published literature and U.S. government websites. Using spreadsheet models, the authors calculated the ratio of prevention costs to the number of vaccine protections conferred.

RESULTS

The vaccinate without screening protocol was most cost-effective in nine of 10 analyses conducted under baseline assumptions, and in 69 of 80 sensitivity analyses. In each population considered, vaccinate without screening was less costly than and at least equally as effective as screen and begin vaccination. The screen and defer vaccination protocol would reduce costs in seven populations, but effectiveness would also be lower.

CONCLUSIONS

Unless directed at vaccination candidates with the highest probability of immunity, pre-vaccination screening for hepatitis A and B immunity is not cost-effective. Balancing cost reduction with reduced effectiveness, screen and defer may be preferred for older travelers and prison inmates.

Cost-effectiveness of hepatitis B vaccination of prison inmates

The purpose of this paper is to determine the cost-effectiveness of vaccinating inmates against hepatitis B. From the prison perspective, vaccinating inmates at intake is not cost-saving. It could be economically beneficial when the cost of a vaccine dose is <US dollars 30 per dose, or there is no prevalence of infection upon intake, or the costs of treating acute or chronic disease are about 70% higher than baseline costs, or the incidence of infection during and after custody were >1.6 and 50%, respectively. The health care system realizes net savings even when there is no incidence in prison, or there is no cost of chronic liver disease, or when only one dose of vaccine is administered. Thus, while prisons might not have economic incentives to implement hepatitis B vaccination programs, the health care system would benefit from allocating resources to them.

Compliance with hepatitis B vaccination in 1175 heroin users and risk factors associated with lack of vaccine response

AIMS

To investigate the feasibility of hepatitis B vaccination among heroin users, assessing adherence to the vaccination schedules and identifying factors associated with antibody response.

DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS

A large cohort study in nine public centres for drug users (PCDUs) in north-eastern Italy, with data collected between January 1989 and December 1998. A total of 1175 heroin users were selected and vaccinated with a recombinant vaccine using two schedules (0-1-6 months and 0-1-2 months).

FINDINGS

Eighty-eight per cent of patients completed the vaccination series and a protective antibody response occurred in 77% of subjects. Completion of the vaccination series was not related to the length of the vaccination schedule or whether the patient was still in drug abuse treatment at the end of the series, but was related strongly to the number of patients enrolled at each PCDU (Spearman correlation = - 0.93, P < 0.001). Four variables were significantly associated with lack of seroconversion in response to vaccination: older age (AOR = 0.91 per year, 95% CI 0.88-0.94, P < 0.001), 2-month vaccination schedule (AOR = 3.10, 95% CI 2.06-4.68, P < 0.001), HCV seropositivity (AOR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.47-0.99, P = 0.04), HIV seropositivity (AOR = 0.27, 95% CI 0.10-0.77, P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

A large-scale, multi-site hepatitis B vaccination programme for heroin users proved feasible and effective. The factors associated with a lack of antibody response may be useful in identifying patients who would benefit most from routine post-vaccination testing, with booster doses for non-responders. These results suggest that hepatitis B vaccination for drug users should become a routine public health practice.

Social determinants and the health of drug users: socioeconomic status, homelessness, and incarceration

OBJECTIVES

This article reviews the evidence on the adverse health consequences of low socioeconomic status, homelessness, and incarceration among drug users.

OBSERVATIONS

Social and economic factors shape risk behavior and the health of drug users. They affect health indirectly by shaping individual drug-use behavior; they affect health directly by affecting the availability of resources, access to social welfare systems, marginalization, and compliance with medication. Minority groups experience a disproportionately high level of the social factors that adversely affect health, factors that contribute to disparities in health among drug users.

CONCLUSION

Public health interventions aimed at improving the health of drug users must address the social factors that accompany and exacerbate the health consequences of illicit drug use.

Infection control practices among correctional healthcare workers: effect of management attitudes and availabiity of protective equipment and engineering controls

OBJECTIVES

To determine the relation of the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) and engineering controls to infection control (IC) practices in a prison healthcare setting, and to explore the effect on IC practices of a perceived organizational commitment to safety.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

The study population was drawn from the 28 regional Correctional Health Care Workers Facilities in Maryland.

PARTICIPANTS

All full-time Maryland correctional healthcare workers (HCWs) were surveyed, and 225 (64%) of the 350 responded.

METHOD

A confidential, self-administered questionnaire was mailed to all correctional HCWs employed in the 28 Maryland Correctional Health Care Facilities. The questionnaire was analyzed psychometrically and validated through extensive pilot testing. It included items on three major constructs: IC practices, safety climate (defined as the perception of organizational commitment to safety), and availability of IC equipment and supplies.

RESULTS

A strong correlation was found between the availability of PPE and IC practices. Similarly, a strong correlation was found between IC practices and the presence of engineering controls. In addition, an equally strong association was seen between the adoption of IC practices and employee perception of management commitment to safety. Those employees who perceived a high level of management support for safety were more than twice as likely to adhere to recommended IC practices. IC practices were significantly more likely to be followed if PPE was always readily available. Similarly, IC practices were more likely to be followed if engineering controls were provided.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that ready availability of PPE and the presence of engineering controls are crucial to help ensure their use in this high-risk environment. This is especially important because correctional HCWs are potentially at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens such as human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B and C viruses. Commitment to safety was found to be highly associated with the adoption of safe work practices. There is an inherent conflict of "custody versus care" in this setting; hence, it is especially important that we understand and appreciate the relation between safety climate and IC practices. Interventions designed to improve safety climate, as well as availability of necessary IC supplies and equipment, will most likely prove effective in improving employee compliance with IC practices in this healthcare setting.

Characteristics and trends of newly identified HIV infections among incarcerated populations: CDC HIV voluntary counseling, testing, and referral system, 1992-1998

Inmate contact with the correctional health care system provides public health professionals an opportunity to offer HIV screening to a population that might prove difficult to reach otherwise. We report on publicly funded human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) voluntary counseling, testing, and referral (VCTR) services provided to incarcerated persons in the United States. Incarcerated persons seeking VCTR services received pretest counseling and gave a blood specimen for HIV antibody testing. Specimens were considered positive if the enzyme immunoassays were repeatedly reactive and the Western blot or immunofluorescent assay was reactive. Demographics, HIV risk information, and laboratory test results were collected from each test episode. Additional counseling sessions provided more data. From 1992 to 1998, there were 527,937 records available from correctional facilities from 48 project areas; 484,277 records included a test result and 459,155 (87.0%) tests came with complete data. Overall, 3.4% (16,797) of all tests were reactive for HIV antibodies. Of reactive tests accompanied by self-reports of previous HIV test results (15,888), previous test results were 44% positive, 23% negative, 6% inconclusive or unspecified, and 27% no previous test. This indicates that 56% of positive tests were newly identified. During the study period, the number of tests per year increased three-fold. Testing increased among all racial/ethnic groups and both sexes. The largest increase was for heterosexuals who reported no other risk, followed by persons with a sex partner at risk. Overall, the greatest number of tests was reported for injection drug users (IDUs) (128,262), followed by men who have sex with men (MSM) (19,928); however, episodes for MSM doubled during the study, while for IDUs, they increased 74%. The absolute number of HIV-positive (HIV+) tests increased 50%; however, the percentage of all tests that were HIV+ decreased nearly 50% due to the increased number of tests performed. HIV+ tests fell 50% among blacks (7.6% to 3.7%), Hispanics (6.7% to 2.5%), and males (5.1% to 2.5%); 33% among females (4.5% to 3.1%); 95% among IDUs (8.6% to 4.4%); and 64% among MSM (19.3% to 11.8%). Among HIV+ episodes, those for IDUs dropped from 61.5% to 36.6%, while episodes for heterosexuals with no reported risk factor increased from 4.3% to 18.2%. The use of VCTR services by incarcerated persons rose steadily from 1992 to 1998, and 56% of HIV+ tests were newly identified. High numbers of tests that recorded risk behaviors for contracting HIV indicate that correctional facilities provide an important access point for prevention efforts.

Compliance with universal precautions in correctional health care facilities

There were three main objectives of this cross-sectional study of Maryland State correctional health care workers. The first was to evaluate compliance with work practices designed to minimize exposure to blood and body fluids; the second, to identify correlates of compliance with universal precautions (UPs); and the third was to determine the relationship, if any, between compliance and exposures. Of 216 responding health care workers, 34% reported overall compliance across all 15 items on a compliance scale. Rates for specific items were particularly low for use of certain types of personal protective equipment, such as protective eyewear (53.5%), face mask (47.2%) and protective clothing (33.9%). Compliance rates were highest for glove use (93.2%) waste disposal (89.8%), and sharps disposal (80.8%). Compliance rates were generally not associated with demographic factors, except for age; younger workers were more likely to be compliant with safe work practices than were older workers (P < 0.05). Compliance was positively associated with several work-related variables, including perceived safety climate (i.e., management's commitment to infection control and the overall safety program) and job satisfaction, and was found to be inversely associated with security-related work constraints, job/task factors, adverse working conditions, workplace discrimination, and perceived work stress. Bloodborne exposures were not uncommon; 13.8% of all respondents had at least one bloodborne exposure within the previous 6 months, and compliance was inversely related to blood and body fluid exposures. This study identified several potentially modifiable correlates of compliance, including factors unique to the correctional setting. Infection-control interventional strategies specifically tailored to these health care workers may therefore be most effective in reducing the risk of bloodborne exposures.

ARRIVE: an AIDS education/relapse prevention model for high-risk parolees

An AIDS prevention training program for parolees recently released from prison with histories of drug injection was developed and evaluated. Key program elements included: a social learning approach to prevention which emphasized resistance skills training; a self-help orientation stressing individual responsibility; therapeutic community principles such as credible role models and community building; and job readiness training for the AIDS prevention/outreach field. A total of 394 eligible parolees (81% male, 19% female) were recruited, of whom 241 attended the program, including 164 completers. One year follow-up results showed that ARRIVE participation significantly decreased certain sexual and drug-related risk behaviors and improved parolees' community adjustment.

Hepatitis B vaccination in prisons: the Catalonian experience

A pilot programme of hepatitis B vaccination was set up in three prisons to assess the feasibility and results of this method of reaching a high-risk population. Hepatitis B vaccine was offered to all inmates who lacked serological markers for hepatitis B virus. The antibody response was assessed in those who received two or three doses of vaccine. Candidates for vaccination were 41% of 1755 imprisoned men (20% of intravenous drug users (IVDU) and 63% of non-IVDU), but complete vaccination could be given to only 33% of candidates. A further 29% received two doses. Seroconversion to anti-HBs (titres > 10 IU l-1) occurred in 33% of vaccinees after two doses and in 76% after three doses. The overall rate of susceptible inmates who became protected for hepatitis B was 34%. The seroconversion rate was higher when the interval between the first two doses was shorter than 3 weeks (91%), than in cases with an interval of 3-6 weeks (79%) or longer than 6 weeks (33%). Age greater than 35 years and history of IVDU were associated with a lower response to the vaccine, while anti-HIV seropositivity did not influence the response. In conclusion, vaccination of prisoners susceptible to HBV may achieve protection in at least a third of cases. Shortening intervals between the priming doses of vaccine may improve compliance and increases the response.

Drug use among New York City prison inmates: a demographic study with temporal trends

In a sample of over 2,500 medical charts from inmates arrested in 1986 in New York City, the rate of intravenous drug use peaked at 43% in male inmates aged 36 to 40. Younger inmates had progressively lower rates of intravenous drug use. Inmates detained for longer time periods and female inmates had particularly high rates of intravenous drug use. Rates of intravenous drug use were 30% among Hispanic, 26% among White, and 16% among Black inmates. Although overall rates of drug use among all male inmates in 1986 have remained unchanged since 1975, drug use was most prevalent in inmates aged 31 to 40 in 1986, the same criminal "cohort" which in 1975 had the highest rate of drug use. Implications for targeting of AIDS and drug-related counseling among inmates are discussed.

Evidence for gonococcal transmission within a correctional system

In a study to examine sexually transmissible disease occurring within a large correctional system where sexual activity is prohibited, 27 male inmates acquired culture-proven gonorrhea from in-jail sexual activity during a three-month period. These results provide evidence to encourage inmate education about the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and to support condom distribution programs in correctional facilities.

Influenza epidemics and anencephaly

To explore the postulated association between maternal influenza and congenital defects of the central nervous system, 14 virologically verified epidemics in Finland, 1969-82, were studied. Mothers of 248 anencephalic children were grouped into those whose first trimester had occurred during an epidemic period and those whose pregnancy had commenced during a non-epidemic period. No significant differences in prevalence of anencephaly were noted in these groups.

Prevalence of markers for hepatitis B and hepatitis D in a municipal house of correction

Following an outbreak of hepatitis B (HBV) in a municipal house of correction, HBV markers were detected in 173/406 (43 percent) inmates and 10/129 (8 percent) staff. Of the 173 HBV-infected inmates, 14 (8 percent) had hepatitis D (HDV) markers compared to 0/10 staff members. Intravenous drugs use (IVDU) was most strongly associated with HBV marker presence. Increasing duration of imprisonment, history of hepatitis B and especially IVDU were associated with the prevalence of HDV markers.

Sentinel surveillance of HIV infection among new inmates and implications for policies of corrections facilities

Seroprevalence surveys of incoming inmates provide useful sentinel information on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection rates among groups that practice HIV-associated high-risk behaviors. In addition, such data are beneficial to corrections officials in the formulation of institutional policies to prevent HIV infection. Inmates entering the Michigan corrections system from December 1987 to March 1988 participated in blind, anonymous serosurveys for HIV infection. Eight of 802 entering inmates (1.0 percent) were seropositive; most seropositive persons reported intravenous drug use. The most common risk behaviors reported by study participants were intravenous drug use (20.0 percent), multiple sexual partners (37.1 percent), and infrequent (that is, never or seldom) use of condoms (82.6 percent). Women reported the highest rates of intravenous drug use (35.1 percent) and needle-sharing (19.4 percent). Results from this study indicate that in spite of wide-spread HIV-associated risk behaviors, the extent of HIV-seropositivity among incoming inmates in Michigan is relatively low. Such data suggest that there is still time to impact the course of the AIDS epidemic among high-risk groups in States where the prevalence of HIV infection is relatively low. The data also indicate that the potential for HIV spread in correctional facilities is noteworthy and that HIV prevention education and substance abuse treatment services are needed in corrections facilities.

Alternative test sequences for HIV screening of donated blood

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection is extremely rare among volunteer blood donors. The highly sensitive Enzyme Linked Immunoassay (ELISA) test and the highly specific Western blot confirmation constitute the test sequence now used to minimize the possibility of transfusion associated HIV infection and to minimize the loss of donors due to false positive test results. The estimated operating characteristics for the test sequence permit the estimation of true infection rates which may be higher or lower than "observed" rates among subcategories of blood donors with progressively lower prevalence rates. The probability that a positive test result indicates true infection also declines with decreasing prevalence. The potential benefits of changing the test sequence so that complete HIV screening is implemented only for donations which are hepatitis-free include a reduction in the costs of Western blot testing and donor counseling, a reduction in the number of donors who use the blood bank inappropriately for personal HIV testing, and a more explicit recognition of the false positive problem when counseling donors.