Methodology of a nationwide cross-sectional survey of prevalence and epidemiological patterns of hepatitis A, B and C infection in Brazil.
A population-based survey to provide information on the prevalence of hepatitis viral infection and the pattern of risk factors was carried out in the urban population of all Brazilian state capitals and the Federal District, between 2005 and 2009. This paper describes the design and methodology of the study which involved a population aged 5 to 19 for hepatitis A and 10 to 69 for hepatitis B and C. Interviews and blood samples were obtained through household visits. The sample was selected using stratified multi-stage cluster sampling and was drawn with equal probability from each domain of study (region and age-group). Nationwide, 19,280 households and ~31,000 residents were selected. The study is large enough to detect prevalence of viral infection around 0.1% and risk factor assessments within each region. The methodology seems to be a viable way of differentiating between distinct epidemiological patterns of hepatitis A, B and C. These data will be of value for the evaluation of vaccination policies and for the design of control program strategies.
Ximenes
Ricardo Arraes de Alencar
RA
Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Pernambuco, Universidade de Pernambuco, Recife, Brasil.
Pereira
Leila Maria Beltrão
LM
Martelli
Celina Maria Turchi
CM
Merchán-Hamann
Edgar
E
Stein
Airton Tetelbom
AT
Figueiredo
Gerusa Maria
GM
Braga
Maria Cynthia
MC
Montarroyos
Ulisses Ramos
UR
Brasil
Leila Melo
LM
Turchi
Marília Dalva
MD
Fonseca
José Carlos Ferraz da
JC
Lima
Maria Luiza Carvalho de
ML
Alencar
Luis Cláudio Arraes de
LC
Costa
Marcelo
M
Coral
Gabriela
G
Moreira
Regina Celia
RC
Cardoso
Maria Regina Alves
MR
D000293:Adolescent; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult