Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and related risk factors in a rural community of Mexico.
A cross-sectional survey of the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers among healthy people was conducted in San Juanito, a rural community in the northern state of Chihuahua, Mexico. The overall prevalence in 970 people was 6.6% for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen. There was an age effect on the prevalence of HBV infection, and a gradual increase in prevalence was observed in patients up to the age of 40 years. Those subjects with a history of dental procedures had a 2-fold higher risk for HBV infection (odds ratio [OR], 2.4; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.01-5.86), and there was a 74% increased risk for each blood product transfusion (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.09-2.77). Horizontal transmission seems to be the major source of endemicity in San Juanito because no woman was a chronic carrier. To lower HBV transmission rate, an adequate active screening program for blood donors should be implemented, together with a universal infant immunization program.
Cisneros-Castolo
M
M
Division of Epidemiology, Coordination of Community Health, Mexican Institute of the Social Security.
Hernández-Ruiz
L
L
Ibarra-Robles
I E
IE
Fernández-Gárate
R H
RH
Escobedo-De La Peña
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens