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Comparison of Risk-Based Hepatitis C Screening and the True Seroprevalence in an Urban Prison System.
- Source :
-
Journal of Urban Health . Apr2015, Vol. 92 Issue 2, p379-386. 8p. 2 Charts, 1 Graph. - Publication Year :
- 2015
-
Abstract
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common blood-borne infection in the USA, though seroprevalence is elevated in certain high-risk groups such as inmates. Correctional facility screening protocols vary from universal testing to opt-in risk-based testing. This project assessed the success of a risk-based HCV screening strategy in the Philadelphia Prison System (PPS) by comparing results from current testing practices during 2011-2012 (Risk-Based Screening Group) to a September 2012 blinded seroprevalence study (Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) Study Cohort). PPS processed 51,562 inmates in 2011-2012; 2,727 were identified as high-risk and screened for HCV, of whom 57 % tested HCV antibody positive. Twelve percent ( n = 154) of the 1,289 inmates in the PDPH Study Cohort were anti-HCV positive. Inmates ≥30 years of age had higher rates of seropositivity in both groups. Since only 5.3 % of the prison population was included in the Risk-Based Screening Group, an additional 4,877 HCV-positive inmates are projected to have not been identified in 2011-2012. Gaps in case identification exist when risk-based testing is utilized by PPS. A more comprehensive screening model such as opt-out universal testing should be considered to identify HCV-positive inmates. Identification of these individuals is an important opportunity to aid underserved high-risk populations and to provide medical care and secondary prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 10993460
- Volume :
- 92
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Urban Health
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 102289194
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-015-9945-4