Use of multiple data sources to estimate hepatitis C seroprevalence among prisoners: A retrospective cohort study.

Hepatitis C is a major cause of preventable morbidity and mortality. Prisoners are a key population for hepatitis C control programs, and with the advent of highly effective therapies, prisons are increasingly important sites for hepatitis C diagnosis and treatment. Accurate estimates of hepatitis C prevalence among prisoners are needed in order to plan and resource service provision, however many prevalence estimates are based on surveys compromised by limited and potentially biased participation.

Trends in HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C prevalence among Australian prisoners - 2004, 2007, 2010.

Objective: To report the prevalence of markers for HIV infection, hepatitis B and hepatitis C among Australian prison entrants.

Design: Cross-sectional survey conducted over 2-week periods in 2004, 2007 and 2010.

Setting: Reception prisons in New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia.