Prevalence of HIV, Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B Infection Among Detainees in a French Administrative Detention Centre

• Main Authors: Sandrine Mancy (Author), Pascale Fabbro-Peray (Author), Sandrine Alonso (Author), Hadi Berkaoui (Author), Laetitia Lambremon (Author), Hélène Vidal (Author), Christophe Hilaire (Author), Dorine Herrmann (Author), Jennifer Dapoigny (Author), Melanie Kinné (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Springer, 2024-05-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.1007/s44197-024-00238-0; 2210-6014
• Keywords: Human immunodeficiency virus; Hepatitis C virus; Hepatitis B virus; Migrants; Administrative detention centre; Rapid diagnostic test; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health, Vol 14, Iss 3, Pp 923-932 (2024)

Abstract Background In France, migrants constitute a significant proportion of people diagnosed with HIV, hepatitis C (HCV) and B (HBV). This study estimated the prevalence of these three viruses among detainees at a French administrative detention centre (CRA), through systematic Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) screening. Methods This prospective, single-centre, cross-sectional, pilot study included detainees at the Nîmes CRA from February to December 2022. The primary endpoint was HIV, HCV and HBV prevalence determined by RDT. Secondary outcomes were: co-infections; study acceptability, reasons for non-inclusion, causes of non-contributory samples; and concordance between serological tests and RDT. Results Among the 350 people agreeing to participate of 726 eligible, five refused the RDT, leaving 345 analysable participants for a participation rate of 47.5% (345/726). Participants were predominantly male (90%) with an average age of 31 years. The most common country of origin was Algeria (34%). Twenty (6%) had taken drugs intravenously and 240 (70%) had had unprotected sex within a median of 4.92 [1.08; 15] months. Virus prevalence was: 0% HIV; 4.64 [2.42; 6.86] % HCV; and 2.32 [1.01; 4.52] % HBV. Eleven (73%) of the RDT HCV positive cases were confirmed serologically. RDT detected one false-positive HCV case, as an anti-HCV Ac serological test was negative. Of the eight patients with positive HBV RDT, one declined the serology testing, thus 100% (7/7) of the tested RDT positive cases were confirmed by serology. Conclusion The study highlighted the need to screen detainees for HIV, HCV and HBV infection and suitability of RDTs.