Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus among young prisoners

Background: juveniles in custody are affected by sexually transmitted infections due to risky behaviors. therefore, they have a disproportionate burden of hepatitis b virus (hbv) and human immunodeficiency virus (hiv). in this study, the prevalence and associated characteristics of hepatitis b and hiv infections were assessed in young prisoners. materials and methods: in this cross‑sectional study, prevalence of hbv and hiv infections was assessed among young prisoners during 2008‑2009. a checklist consisting of demographic, social, and risk factors was filled out and blood was drawn for their tests. sera were analyzed for hepatitis b surface antigen (hbs ag), hepatitis b surface antibody (hbs ab), hepatitis b core antibody (hbc ab) and hiv ab, and western blot test was performed on antibody‑positive hiv. results: a total number of 160 young prisoners (147 boys and 13 girls) were evaluated. the mean age of the subjects was 16.59 ± 1.24 year. hbs ag, hbc ab, hbs ab, and hiv ab were detected in 1 (0.63%), 1 (0.63%), 52 (32.5%), and 1 (0.63%), respectively. conclusion: with respect to national vaccination program against hbv infection, the juvenile prisoners had low prevalence of hbs ab.