title: Population-based multicentric survey of hepatitis B infection and risk factor differences among three regions in Brazil.
abstract: This multicentric population-based study in Brazil is the first national effort to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and risk factors in the capital cities of the Northeast, Central-West, and Federal Districts (2004-2005). Random multistage cluster sampling was used to select persons 13-69 years of age. Markers for HBV were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The HBV genotypes were determined by sequencing hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Multivariate analyses and simple catalytic model were performed. Overall, 7,881 persons were included; < 70% were not vaccinated. Positivity for HBsAg was less than 1% among non-vaccinated persons and genotypes A, D, and F co-circulated. The incidence of infection increased with age with similar force of infection in all regions. Males and persons having initiated sexual activity were associated with HBV infection in the two settings; healthcare jobs and prior hospitalization were risk factors in the Federal District. Our survey classified these regions as areas with HBV endemicity and highlighted the risk factors differences among the settings.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Pernambuco, Hospital Universitário Oswaldo Cruz, Universidade de Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. leilapereira@pq.cnpq.br
authors.forename: Leila M M B
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Celina M T
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Martelli
authors.forename: Edgar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Merchán-Hamann
authors.forename: Ulisses R
authors.initials: UR
authors.lastname: Montarroyos
authors.forename: Maria C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Braga
authors.forename: Maria L C
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: de Lima
authors.forename: Maria R A
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Cardoso
authors.forename: Marília D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Turchi
authors.forename: Marcelo A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Luiz C A
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: de Alencar
authors.forename: Regina C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.forename: Gerusa M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Figueiredo
authors.forename: Ricardo A A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Ximenes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies