According to a recent study conducted by the National Institute of Health (INS) in Mozambique, more than a quarter of those held in Mozambican prisons are carriers of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
The preliminary results of this Biological and Behavioural Survey of Prisoners and Prison Officers, now carried out and analysed, show that the prevalence of HIV in the country's prisons is 31.5% among female prisoners and 25.4% among male prisoners.
The INS carried out this research during 2022 in collaboration with the National Prison Service (Sernap). The aim was to estimate the prevalence of HIV, syphilis and HIV viral suppression among detainees and prison staff, as well as to assess the risk behaviours associated with these diseases and access to and use of prevention, testing and treatment services.
The research also revealed a syphilis prevalence of 10.9% among male prisoners and 3.6% among female prisoners. As for viral suppression, it was found that 94% of male prisoners living with HIV are aware of their serological status, of whom 84.1% are on antiretroviral treatment and 76.3% have achieved viral suppression. Among female prisoners, 98.4% of those living with HIV know their serological status, 96.1% are on antiretroviral treatment and 76.1% have achieved viral suppression.
The Director-General of Sernap, António Augusto Maurice, expressed the hope that this study can help improve access to care and treatment, support interventions related to positive prevention and strengthen social and behavioural interventions for the prevention of HIV infection and sexually transmitted infections among the prison population.
The survey covered 22 prison facilities in Mozambique, from March to August 2022, and involved 1,069 male prisoners, 99 female prisoners and 135 prison officers, with an average of 56 prisoners and six prison officers in each selected facility. Entities such as the Global Fund, the Foundation for Community Development, Family Health International, Ariso, among others, collaborated with and supported the study.
This is the second biobehavioural survey of its kind carried out in Mozambique, according to the INS. The previous one, carried out in 2011, showed an HIV prevalence of 23.1% among male prisoners and 36% among female prisoners. As for syphilis, the prevalence at the time was 15.6% among male prisoners and 21% among female prisoners.
