Knowledge of Case Workers and Correctional Officers towards HIV and HCV Infections: Opportunity for Public Health Education in the Correctional System.

Objective: Given the heavy burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in correctional facilities, we examined knowledge about these infections among case workers and correctional officers in penal institutions in Puerto Rico.

Methods: We used data from a cross-sectional study of state prisons, commissioned by the Puerto Rico Department of Correction and Rehabilitation, to assess knowledge about HCV and HIV (10 items each) among 256 case workers and correctional officers from 18 penal institutions selected in the prison system. Total scores for each scale ranged from 0 to 10 points, with higher scores reflecting more knowledge.