Abstract:
The objective of this study to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
among prisoners in Khartoum state. This study was achieved during the period
between February and May 2017.
Total of ninety (90) blood samples were collected randomly from females inmates in
Khartoum prison. 5 ml of the blood were collected and centrifugated to obtain the
plasma. The Plasma was tested for anti-HCV via Enzyme Linked Immuno-sorbent
Assay (ELISA).
result revealed that 2 (2.22%) out of 90 of the blood samples were positive for antiHCV
test
and
88 (97.78%)
plasma
samples
were
negative.
The
frequency of infection was (3.2%) in prisoner with age between (31- 45) and
(6.2%) in prisoners with age between (46-60). Out of total samples 54 were married
and 2 were infected 3.7% and 36 prisoner were single and with no HCV infection 0 %.
Out of 90 investigated blood sample 47 prisoners were Muslims, and 43 were
christians and two (4.6%) christians were anti-HCV positive. Both infected prisoners
(2.8%) had spent 1-6 month in the prison.
Study concludes that married inmates are more infected than single, All those whom
positive to HCV-serological test were had previous infected with hepatitis. And
probably they acquired the infection before being in the prison.
For more accurate description of the risk factors of HCV infection the study should be
done in large number of prisoner, all prisoners should be instructed to the right
behavior and start the treatment for infected prisoners and screening test should take
place in the prison from time to time.
