HBV, HCV and HIV among inmates in Latin America and the Caribbean: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Objectives Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) affect 340 million people worldwide and have a high impact on vulnerable populations. The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to estimate the prevalence of these infections among inmates in Latin America and the Caribbean. Methods Searches were conducted in Medline, Embase, LILACS and Web of Science databases on 17 May 2024, without time or language restriction, according to PRISMA guidelines. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist was used to assess the bias risk in the selected studies. Meta‐analysis was performed by using the random‐effects model and heterogeneity between studies was assessed with I2 statistic. Subgroup analyses and meta‐regression were performed to investigate possible sources of heterogeneity. Results Seventy‐nine studies were included, encompassing over 230,000 inmates. The estimated prevalences of HBV, HCV and HIV were 1.0% (95% CI: 0.0–1.0), 7.0% (95% CI: 6.0–8.0) and 4.0% (95% CI: 3.0–4.0), respectively. Subgroup analysis showed the following prevalences: HBV among females was 1.0% (95% CI: 0.0–3.0) and among males was 10.0% (95% CI: 3.0–17.0); HCV among females and males was 12.0% (95% CI: 7.0%–17.0%); and HIV among females was 10.0% (95% CI: 5.0–15.0) and among males was 8.0% (95% CI: 6.0–10.0). Conclusions A substantial proportion of inmates in Latin America and the Caribbean are infected with HBV, HCV or HIV, underscoring the need for viral infection testing, primary care for inmates and increased efforts to promote public health policies for the prison system.