1Associate Prof., U.P.RIMS & R, Saifai
2Senior Resident, U.P.RIMS & R, Saifai
*Corresponding author: Dr. Richa Choudhury, Associate Professor, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, RIMS&R, Saifai 206130 Cont. +91-941545833. E-mail: drricha_c@hotmail.com
Online published on 8 July, 2016.
In today's times HIV has badly affected the prisons. The Prevalence rates of HIV infection among prisoners are significantly higher as prisons provide a high risk environment for HIVtransmission. The HIV affected prisoners are more susceptible to develop full blown AIDS.
There were total 3889 prisoners in Kanpur and Etawah jail. Out of these 46 prisoners were found HIV infected. The study procedure was systematically carried out for a period of 6 months from the month September 2015 to February 2016.
46 prisoners tested positive for HIV in both the jails. There was only case of HIV infection in a female prisoner in the Kanpur jail. Majority of the cases of HIV infection were seen in the 25–34 year age group. Drug abuse, sharing of needles, unprotected sex, homosexuality, violence and sharing of personal items were the associated risk factors for onward HIV transmission in the prisons.
Due to the stressful and overcrowded prison environment, chances of onward HIV transmission are very high. This could be controlled by educating the prisoners about the risk factors. Opioid substitution therapy (OST) should be tried along with free access to condoms via the installation of condom vending machines in prisons. Those who are found HIV positive for the infection should receive counseling and timely Anti-retroviral Therapy without breaching the prisoner's right to confidentiality.
Homosexuality, Opioid substitution therapy (OST), Condom vending machines, Anti-retroviral therapy (ART)
