title: Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C in Brazilian army conscripts in 2002: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: Hepatitis B and C constitute important public health problems worldwide. In Brazil, studies on prevalence of viral hepatitis have local and regional characteristics; consequently it is difficult to define the national epidemiological situation. Our objective was to evaluate the seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C in conscripts of the Brazilian Army. A transversal study among males aged 17 to 22 years was conducted nationwide. After informed consent, each volunteer filled in a social-behavioral questionnaire and had blood drawn to test for HBsAg and anti-HCV. A total of 7,372 volunteers were evaluated in the second half of 2002. The prevalence of HBsAg was 2.6% (95% confidence interval: 2.2, 3.0) and that of anti-HCV was 1.5% (95% confidence interval: 1.2, 1.8). A wide variation among macro regions and states in the same region was observed for both markers. In conclusion, although this population theoretically had a low risk for HBV and HCV infection, these results are higher than expected for this age range. These findings may indicate a change in the pattern of HBV and HCV transmission in Brazil. Due to the different dynamics of these epidemics, further studies are warranted to confirm these apparent trends.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Unifenas. toledoac@task.com.br
authors.forename: Antonio C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Toledo
authors.forename: Dirceu B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Greco
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Felga
authors.forename: Dráurio
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barreira
authors.forename: Maria de Fátima S
authors.initials: Mde F
authors.lastname: Gadelha
authors.forename: Francisco A B
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Speranza
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies