Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus among Prisoners in Khartoum State

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.