Description
The objective of the project is to reduce spreading of communicable diseases in prisons and among vulnerable groups.Currently there is no treatment against hepatitis C.The project activities are in accordance with "National Drug Prevention strategy" and "National HIV/AIDS prevention strategy 2006-2015."Expected outcomes are that monitoring and treatment system of infectious diseases has been improved and knowledge of the prison officials on communicable diseases has increased.By the end of the project 400 inmates have been tested for hepatitis C annually and 29 have received full treatment.180 persons from prisons have got training and the diagnostic facilities have improved.The main target group are prison inmates and secondary prison officials and medical staff who are benefitting from trainings.Finding a donor partner is in process.
Summary of project results
The objective of the project was to reduce spreading of communicable diseases in prisons and among vulnerable groups. During the period 2013-2016 approximately 10% of all new HIV cases in Estonia were found in prisons. In the project was tested for HIV a total of 11,062 inmates (planned annual number of inmates tested for HIV was 3000). HIV was detected in 91 cases. Testing for hepatitis C in prisons increased during the project by nearly five times. In total 6771 inmates was tested in prisons (planned annual number of inmates tested for hepatitis C was 300) and 2888 inmates had positive antibody for hepatitis C, which is 43% of all tested persons. The hepatitis C treatment was started for 51 prisoner and is finished for 45 persons. At the end of the project the medical department managers and the Ministry of Justice agreed to continue with the treatment for ten inmates in half-year, which is up to 20 times more than before the project. 1,010 inmates were tested for hepatitis B, incl. 27 positive - 3% of tested (planned number of inmates tested for hepatitis B was 1000). The main topics of training of prison officials by health care workers were hepatitis A, B, C and HIV prevalence and symptoms, tuberculosis, scabies, the exposure of infectious fluids, first aid during puncture injuries, and the use of Naloxone. A total of 195 prison staff got training. In addition, prison health care workers were trained as the project showed that doctors and nurses working in the prison are in need of additional training in hepatitis C patients problems and carrying-out treatment. The training was attended by all of the Estonian prisons infectionists and the knowledge gained can also be applied to civilian medicine that improves health care in general (same infectionists work in prisons and civilian medicine). Carried out was a study of risk factors and genotypes of hepatitis C spread within inmates. Equipment was purchased to improve the treatment of hepatitis and monitoring.
Summary of bilateral results