HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis in prisons : report on a joint WHO/UNAIDS European seminar, Warsaw, Poland, 14-16 December 1997

Responding to the serious threat to public health posed by the high levels of HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis in the European prison population, the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, in collaboration with the institutions participating in the WHO health in prisons project, organized a seminar of representatives of prison administrations and health care staff, national AIDS and tuberculosis programmes, nongovernmental organizations, and justice, interior and health ministries from 16 countries. The participants exchanged information on the current situation as to risk behaviour, risk factors and transmission of disease in prisons in Europe. They assessed progress in and possible barriers to the adaptation and application of the WHO guidelines on HIV infection and AIDS in prisons and the WHO strategy for tuberculosis control, and discussed models of good practice for prevention and care. Calling for urgent action from governments and the international community, the participants made recommendations on safeguarding the rights of all prisoners to receive health care, including preventive measures, equivalent to that available in the community, without discrimination