DefinePK

Abstract

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)infection commonly known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by a lentivirus (HIV). The prevalence of HIV is well documented globally but such statistics are sparse from Pakistan and there has been no such data from Balochistan at all. The current study was designed and conducted to assess the sero-prevalence of HIV amongst jail inmates in Quetta, Pakistan. A total of 200 out of 350 male prisoners were selected randomly for HIV testing. The prisoners included in the study, voluntarily completed a risk-factor questionnaire and blood samples were provided for unlinked anonymous testing for the presence of antibodies to HIV. All the subjects were above 18 years of age. Informed consent was obtained. We measured sero-prevalence and assessed the risk factors for HIV by using Abbot Determine® rapid screening kit (specificity 100%). Reactive specimens were further assessed for anti-HIV antibodies by enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA). Of total 200 prisoners, 0.5%of the prisoners were found positive for HIV antibodies using ELISA which is equal to the HIV prevalence in world population. But being an Islamic country where extramarital sex and drugs are illegal and banned the resulted HIV prevalence in inmates of the District Jail Quetta, Pakistan is alarming and there is need to educate the prisoners to minimize the risk factors associated with HIV transmission.
Keywords: Seroprevalence; Jail inmates; Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); Quetta; Pakistan
http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2017.60010