Diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis B. What contributions can prisons make?

Abstract Hepatitis B is a parenterally and sexually transmitted infection. Vaccination for the disease is highly effective, and its inclusion in Spain as part of a systematic and universal schedule for newborns has led to a significant decrease of incidence in the national population. However, the number of inmates born in other countries some from endemic areas of HBV infection -, the mechanisms of transmission and lack of vaccination in third world countries mean that its prevalence in the prison population is higher than in the general population. These institutions therefore play an essential role in detecting and managing hepatitis B. In this paper, the situation of hepatitis B in prisons is reviewed and recommendations are proposed to optimize its control.