26 Rev Esp Sanid Penit 2011; 13: 44-50 J de Juan, I Faraco, P Saiz de la Hoya, A Marco, C Yllobre, A Da Silva, E del Pozo, FM Veiras. Reasons for not initating hcv treatment in prison: a sub-analysis of the epiband study — 44 — Reasons for not initating hcv treatment in prison: a sub-analysis of the epiband study J de Juan 1 , I Faraco 2 , P Saiz de la Hoya 3 , A Marco 4 , C Yllobre 5 , A Da Silva 6 , E del Pozo 7 , FM Veiras 8 , on behalf of the EPIBAND Study Group 1 Cordoba prison medical services 2 Seville prison medical services 3 Fontcalent, Alicante prison medical services 4 Barcelona male prison medical services 5 Las Palmas prison medical services 6 Cuatro Caminos, Barcelona prison medical services 7 Villabona, Asturias prison medical services 8 Santa Cruz de Tenerife prison medical services ABSTRACT Objective: This sub-analysis was designed within the framework of the EPIBAND study to establish the reasons why prison patients do not initiate HCV treatment. Methods: Epidemiological, prospective, multicentre study conducted in 26 centres. We present the results from those patients included in the EPIBAND study who did not initiate HCV treatment for different reasons. Results: A total of 195 patients were evaluated (average age 39±6.6 years, 86.7% male and 96.9% Spanish nationality). The reasons why this population did not initiate HCV treatment were secondary ones relating to the patient (41%), medical reasons (30.8%), and the prison environment (3.6%). 47.5% of patients reported lack of awareness and motivation, and 18.8% did not initiate treatment as a result of adverse events. Immunological status (35%) as well as psychiatric and neurological disorders (28.3%) were the main medical reasons for contraindication. Aspects associated to prison environment such as impending release or change of prison (64.4%) were among the various reasons that influenced treatment initiation. Conclusions: Lack of motivation and awareness in patients as well as adverse events were the main reasons for not initi- ating therapy. These factors are subjective, modifiable aspects that depend on patient education and adequate medical care. Key words: comparative study; HIV; patients; hepatitis C; therapeutics; prisons; prisoners; Spain. Text received: 29-06-2010 Text accepted: 06-10-2010 INTRODUCTION The EPIBAND study has been so far the broadest prospective study ever conducted in the prison setting, not only for the number of patients included but also for the number of researchers participating. This epide- miological, prospective and multicentre study has been implemented by the Spanish Society for Prison Health Group on Infectious Diseases in order to establish the reasons why prison patients discontinue antiviral treat- ment for hepatitis C. This article aims to describe one of the objectives of the EPIBAND study: establish the reasons why prison patients do not initiate treatment for Chronic Hepatitis C.