Incidence and risk factors of Chronic Viral Hepatitis type C in persons deprived of their liberty in the Social Rehabilitation Center (CERESO) of the state of Veracruz

Introduction and Objectives

People deprived of liberty (PPL) is a key population for the elimination of chronic viral hepatitis c (VHC) by 2030, according to the WHO. The objective of our work is to know the incidence of the prison population in the 17 social rehabilitation centers (CERESO) of the state of Veracruz.

Material and Methods

A descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study was carried out in the 17 CERESOS of the state of Veracruz at 6466 PPL, by means of dry blood test screening. APRI/FIB-4 index, glomerular filtration rate, sexual orientation, HIV, BMI and comorbidities were determined.

Results

The incidence of VHC in PPL was 0.6% (36 patients); 100 were men. 100% were found without HIV. 69 % of PPL reported being users of intranasal or intravenous psychoactive substances (UDIS) 61% had piercings and/or tattoos. 80.6% reported not having a school education or did not mention it, and only 14% had completed primary school. The population with the highest risk comprised the age range between 30 and 39 years (49%). According to APRI, only 14% were staged F3. Only one patient presented F4. Figure 1.

Conclusions

The incidence of PPL in the CERESOS of the state of Veracruz is below that observed in the world literature on the prison population. The low incidence could be explained by having the PPL that declared consumption of 0.4% of having been UDIS, compared to other CERESOS in the north of the country. The presence of VHC was observed in CERESOS with a population of 400 PPL and without the presence of VHC in CERESOS with a population of fewer than 100 PPL, a factor could be overpopulation.

Funding

The resources used in this study were from the hospital without any additional financing

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest.