Infectious diseases in the Tuscan detention setting: data from the Health Agency of Tuscany

Objective

To evaluate the prevalence of infectious diseases among all the inmates of the Tuscany region of Italy, to support policy decisions about prevention and treatment programmes that can be adopted.

Study design

A cross-sectional study was carried out at one time point, using a dedicated computer programme.

Methods

All 17 adult detention centres located in Tuscany were included. The sample comprised all inmates of these prisons on 21 May 2012.

Results

Out of 4172 subjects, 3229 were enrolled in our study (M = 3211; F = 118), corresponding to 79.8% (mean age 38.5 years; 96.5% were males). Almost half of the subjects were Italian (49.8%), while the others (50.2%) were foreign. Of these, the most represented groups were from northern Africa and eastern Europe (22.6% and 17.7% respectively). The most frequent infectious diseases were hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) (9.1% and 2.2% respectively).

Conclusions

Prison is one of the main reservoirs of infections, because it has a higher prevalence of HCV and HBV than the general population. Screening measures, counselling programmes and treatment protocols should be made mandatory to improve health outcomes and prevent further disease.