Abstract:
In 1987/8, a survey was conducted in 5 Zambian Prison Institutions, to establish; (1), sexual habits and practices, (2) seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection and (3), incidence of venereal disease amongst Prison inmates. Specifically, it was designed to determine whether or not homosexuality was an important risk behaviour for HIV transmission in Africans. Overall, 1,670 inmates were screened of whom 12.2% had homosexual experience, whilst 16.1% were HIV-1 seropositive. Syphillitic antibodies were found in 23.3% of all inmates. No significant association was found between homosexual practice and HIV-1 seropositivity as well as between HIV-1 seropositivity and presence of syphillitic antibodies. In May 1990, as a follow up to these findings, a National Seminar designed to initiate and develop a strategy for the prevention and control of HIV infection was organised by the Zambian Prison Service and Ministry of Health of The Republic of Zambia. Attendees included Senior Prison Officers and experts drawn from the Health Sector. Policies adopted included: i) an immediate dissemination of information and educational materials on HIV/AIDS to all prison inmates, staff and their families. ii) creation of a comprehensive health care system in the Prison Service. Other policies recommended were: no discrimination of HIV positive inmates, early release of inmates with AIDS, no distribution of condoms in prisons, decongestion of prisons, and creation of an AIDS task force in the Prison Service.
Keywords: Comorbidity Delivery of Health Care Health Education *Health Policy Health Surveys Homosexuality Human HIV Infections/EPIDEMIOLOGY/*PREVENTION & CONTROL/TRANSMISSION *HIV Seroprevalence *HIV-1 *Prisoners Sex Behavior Sexually Transmitted Diseases/EPIDEMIOLOGY Zambia/EPIDEMIOLOGY ABSTRACT 921230
M92C5353
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