HIV Seroprevalence among Inmates in Togo.

Background. - There is no data on HIV seroprevalence among prisoners in Togo.Methods. - A cross-sectional study was conducted among prisoners in Togo from November 2011 to January 2012. The study population was included by selecting the most densely populated prison in each of the six Togo regions, and by including prisoners (at least18 years of age and having been in prison for more than 30 days) on a voluntary basis. HIV prevalence was estimated with a 95% confidence interval (CI).Results. - One thousand three hundred and fourty-two prisoners were included in the study. Their median age was 28 years, (IQR 25-33 years) and 39 (2.9%) were women. The median time spent in the prison was 10 months, interquartile range [4-24 months]. HIV testing was accepted by 96.0%. HIV seroprevalence in prisons was 4.3%, 95 CI% [3.2-5.5%]. Few prisoners (2.9%) reported having had sex in prisons. The only factor associated with HIV infection was gender with an HIV seroprevalence of 14.3% for women compared to 4.0% for men (P = 0.003).Conclusion. - The prevention and the management of HIV infection should be a priority in Togolese prisons. This requires implementing healthcare facilities in prisons. (c) 2013 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.