HIV and other infections represent an important health problem in Italian jails. In particular, HIV prevalence is high, due to the characteristics of the prison population, which is constituted by a large proportion of injecting drug users and foreigners. In addition, data from other countries suggest that risky behaviour are not uncommon during imprisonment, and transmission of HIV and other infection in this setting may also occur. Data from surveys conducted by the Penitentiary Authority in Italian jails show a decline of HIV seroprevalence from 9.7% in 1990 to 2.6% in 2001. However, these data are largely incomplete and do not account for possible biases due to self-selection of inmates toward HIV serological testing or to variations in the access to screening activities. More accurate data, possibly obtained through anonymous unlinked surveys, are needed in order to better plan health services and preventive measures.
HIV and related infections in Italian prisons: epidemiology and health organization / Babudieri, Sergio; Starnini, G; Brunetti, B; Carbonara, S; D'Offizi, Gp; Monarca, R; Mazzarello, G; Novati, S; Casti, A; Florenzano, G; Quercia, G; Iovinella, E; Sardu, C; Romano, A; Dierna, M; Vullo, S; Pintus, A; Maida, Ivana; Dori, L; Ardita, S; Mura, Maria Stella Anna; Andreoni, M; Rezza, G.. - In: ANNALI DELL'ISTITUTO SUPERIORE DI SANITÀ. - ISSN 0021-2571. - 39:2(2003), pp. 251-257.
HIV and related infections in Italian prisons: epidemiology and health organization
BABUDIERI, Sergio;MAIDA, Ivana;MURA, Maria Stella Anna;
2003-01-01
Abstract
HIV and other infections represent an important health problem in Italian jails. In particular, HIV prevalence is high, due to the characteristics of the prison population, which is constituted by a large proportion of injecting drug users and foreigners. In addition, data from other countries suggest that risky behaviour are not uncommon during imprisonment, and transmission of HIV and other infection in this setting may also occur. Data from surveys conducted by the Penitentiary Authority in Italian jails show a decline of HIV seroprevalence from 9.7% in 1990 to 2.6% in 2001. However, these data are largely incomplete and do not account for possible biases due to self-selection of inmates toward HIV serological testing or to variations in the access to screening activities. More accurate data, possibly obtained through anonymous unlinked surveys, are needed in order to better plan health services and preventive measures.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
