Prevalence of hepatitis B and C in prisons in the world: A meta-analysis during the years 2005-2015

Background and Aim: Viral hepatitis is still considered as a major cause of burden of diseases in the world, and it is the most common cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Prisoners are one of the groups at risk of hepatitis. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis B and C in the prisons in the world during the years 2005-2015. Materials and Methods: In order to find relevant articles published from 2005 to 2015, two members of the research team searched the databases of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The study was conducted using the random effects model and the fixed effects model. In order to examine heterogeneity, Cochran Q test was used at an error level of less than 10%; its quantity was estimated using the I2 indicator. The publication bias was measured using Begg Rank correlation test and Eggers regression method. After extracting the required data, the meta-analysis was performed using the software Stata-12. Results: A total of 43 studies, that met the inclusion criteria, were analyzed. The results showed that the overall prevalence of hepatitis B in prisoners was 5.17 (95% CI: 2.19-9.30). The highest prevalence, that is, 13.14 (95% CI: 11.99-14.36), was observed in Africa. Considering the WHO’s classification, the highest prevalence, that is, 5.04 (95% CI: 4.45-5.67), was observed in the Western Pacific Region. The prevalence of hepatitis B in men and women was, respectively, 6.70 (95% CI: 6.52-6.88) and 4.34 (95% CI: 3.98-4.79). The results showed that the overall prevalence of hepatitis C in prisoners was 13.22 (95% CI: 8.95- 8.16). The results showed that the overall prevalence of hepatitis C in prisoners was 13.22 (95% CI: 8.95-18.16). The highest prevalence, that is, 26.4 (95% CI: 25.05-27.87), was observed in Australia. Considering the WHO’s classification, the highest prevalence of hepatitis C, that is, 24.26 (95% CI: 21.6-27.02), was observed in the Southeast Asia region. The prevalence of hepatitis B in men and women was, respectively, 9.33 (95% CI: 1.56-1.98) and 6.25 (95% CI: 5.78-6.74). Conclusion: The prevalence of hepatitis B and C in prisoners was more than that in the general population, and the prevalence in men was more than that in women. Appropriate and effective interventions to reduce transmission of hepatitis B and C in the prisons of the world is essential.

کلیدواژه ها:

Meta-analysis ، prevalence ، hepatitis B ، hepatitis C ، prison ، world