High frequency of HBV in HIV-infected prisoners in Mozambique.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) among 448 HIV-infected prisoners from 32 prisons in Mozambique.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: All HIV seropositive prisoners were screened for HBV.

FINDINGS: Of the 448 HIV seropositive prisoners, 51 (11.4 percent, 95%CI: 9.3-13.9 percent) were HBsAg-positive and was significantly higher in prisoners aged<25 years.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Data from this study show for the first time that the frequency of HBV among HIV-infected prisoners is high, suggesting that immediate interventions are needed during incarceration.