HIV/AIDS and HCV in prisons: A select annotated bibliography (part 2)

Abstract

The rates of HIV infection among prisoners in most countries are significantly higher than in the general population. HCV seroprevalence rates are even higher. While most prisoners living with HIV or AIDS and/or HCV contract their infection(s) outside the institutions before imprisonment, there is evidence that the risk of being infected in prison, in particular through sharing of contaminated injecting equipment and through unprotected sex, is great. Outbreaks of HIV infection have been documented in a number of countries. Since the early 1990s, various countries have introduced HIV and, to a lesser extent, HCV prevention programmes in prisons. Part 2 of the select annotated bibliography on HIV/AIDS and HCV in prisons contains selected ''essential'' articles and reports that provide information about (1) prevalence of HIV, HCV, and risk behaviours in prisons; (2) transmission of HIV and HCV in prisons; and (3) measures aimed at preventing HIV and HCV infection in prisons: education, voluntary testing and counselling, provision of condoms, prevention of rape, sexual violence and coercion and bleach and needle and syringe programmes. Each section also contains a brief review of the evidence, based on recent work undertaken by WHO.

Routine testing for blood-borne viruses in prisons: a systematic review

“…Six reviews fulfilled the inclusion criteria of having a documented methodology including high-quality systematic reviews, reviews and selected bibliographies ( table 2 ). 44 , 47 , 50 , 51 , 58 , 60 Thirty-three papers were mainly quantitative, two were qualitative and three were cost-effectiveness studies. Of the non-review articles, 31/38 (82%) were conducted in the USA [nine at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC)], four in the UK, 48 , 61 , 65 , 66 one in Australia 70 and two in Jamaica.…”

HIV/AIDS and HCV in prisons: A select annotated bibliography (part 3)

“…Part 2, published in the last issue, contained ''essential'' articles and reports that provide information about (1) prevalence of HIV, HCV, and risk behaviours in prisons; (2) transmission of HIV and HCV in prisons and (3) measures aimed at preventing HIV and HCV infection in prisons: education, voluntary testing and counselling, provision of condoms, prevention of rape, sexual violence and coercion and bleach and needle and syringe programmes (Jü rgens, 2006b).…”