PREVALENCE OF HIV, SYPHILIS, AND HEPATITIS B AMONG A REGIONAL INCARCERATED POPULATION IN PARAGUAY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64668/rccss.v3i10416Keywords:
sexually transmitted infections, HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, prisonsAbstract
Introduction. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) represent a major public health concern in correctional settings, where overcrowding, risky sexual behaviors, and limited access to preventive services increase population vulnerability. Objective. To determine the prevalence of HIV, syphilis, and Hepatitis B infections among inmates of the Regional Adult Penitentiary of Villarrica-Guairá, Paraguay, in 2018. Materials and Methods. Observational, descriptive, and retrospective study. A total of 177 inmates who provided written informed consent were included. Rapid tests for HIV, VDRL (syphilis), and Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were performed by Nursing students from the Universidad Católica Ntra. Sra. de la Asunción, Campus Guairá, as part of a university outreach activity. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Results. Of the 177 inmates, 88% (n=156) were male and 12% (n=21) female; age ranged from 21 to 87 years. A total of 6.2% (n=11) tested positive for at least one STI: 5.1% (n=9) for syphilis (VDRL) and 1.1% (n=2) for HIV. No cases of Hepatitis B were detected. Conclusion. The prevalence of STIs was 6.2%, with syphilis predominating. These findings highlight the need for sustained epidemiological surveillance and sexual health promotion programs in prison settings.
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