Correlates of HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis infections among prison inmates and officers in Ghana: A national multicenter study

Abstract

Background: Prisons are known to be high-risk environments for the spread of bloodborne and sexually transmitted infections. Prison officers are considered to have an intermittent exposure potential to bloodborne infectious diseases on the job, however there has been no studies on the prevalence of these infections in prison officers in Ghana.

Perceptions of self-legitimacy and audience legitimacy among prison officers in Ghana

“…Seidman's (1969, p. 431) comment that the Ghana penal system "stands as monument to colonial rule, as a memorial to confused goals, conflicting objectives, policies evolved and abandoned, and sometimes, no policies at all" remains relevant today. For instance, Ghana's penal system as it was under British colonial rule has remained virtually unchanged in terms of its paramilitary structure of administration coupled with inadequate training and compensation for officers, inadequate infrastructure and widespread infectious diseases, its emphasis on traditional custodial functions (i.e., security and discipline in its operations), and the maintenance of a policy of safe custody of prisoners and trade training when practicable (Adjei et al, 2008;Akoensi, 2014;Ghana Prisons Service, 2010;Mendez, 2014;Prisons Service Decree, 1972 [NCRD 46]). Despite the insistence on vocational training for offenders (officially referred to as "trade training" by the GPS, and also a legacy of colonialism), no empirical study exists to ascertain whether such training reduces recidivism or is beneficial to the prisoners' wellbeing.…”

Prevalence of syphilis and HIV infection during pregnancy in incarcerated women and the incidence of congenital syphilis in births in prison in Brazil

“…Studies carried out in several countries, including Brazil, showed a high prevalence of HIV and syphilis infections in incarcerated men 3,5,10,11,12,13 and women 2,3,6,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21 , reinforcing the importance of serological diagnosis in prisons for the implementation of available intervention. However, Brazilian studies have been carried out in isolated prison units.…”

Hepatitis C and B prevalence in Spanish prisons

“…These characteristics, together with the condition of being incarcerated in crowded conditions, have resulted in an elevated prevalence of viral hepatitis infection [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. It was estimated that, in the prison population in Spain, the prevalence of HCV infection was between 38.2 and 48% [10][11][12][13] and that of VHB surface antigen (HBsAg) was approximately 3.8% [12].…”