P- 43 HCV TESTING AND TREATMENT IN FOUR BRAZILIANS’ CORRECTIONAL SETTINGS

Abstract

Introduction and Objectives

The unfavorable hygiene conditions and inadequate health monitoring in many prisons increase the risk of infections such as HIV, syphilis, tuberculosis, and hepatitis B or C. The prevalence of hepatitis C in prisoners worldwide was estimated to be 17.7% (1). Variable access to correctional healthcare resources, limited funding, high inmate turnover rates, and deficient follow- up care after release are a few factors that confound HCV control and prevention in this group. In Brazil, The Criminal Execution Law 7210 of July 11, 1984, in Article 14, grants inmates preventive and curative medical, dental, and pharmacological healthcare. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis C antibodies (HCV-ab) among the 4-prison population in Brazil's South region.

Materials and Methods

Participants were interviewed and opt-out provided blood samples and underwent rapid HCV testing and confirmatory testing when indicated. Persons with chronic infection were referred to treatment inside the correctional facility.

Results

In 2022, from October to December, 2,057 inmates were tested in 4 correctional facilities in Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul State, with an overall prevalence of 2,52% (52/2,057), 3 times higher than in the general population in Brazil. In the prison with a higher number of tests (762) 95% of the inmates are female, the mean age of 34 y/o, and the HCV-ab prevalence (2,49%) was similar to males’ prisons (2,54%).

Conclusions

It is necessary to control HCV in prisons by screening and treating prisoners to reach WHO 2030 elimination goals. Diagnosis of chronic HCV in correctional settings followed by linkage to care and successful antiviral treatment can ultimately reduce the risk of liver-related and extrahepatic complications and potentially decrease HCV transmission in correctional facilities and the community after release.