title: Epidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in first-time blood donors in the southwestern region of Goiás, central Brazil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little is known about the epidemiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in populations from inner cities, especially in Central Brazil. Thus the objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HBV infection, and to analyze the factors associated with HBV infection, in a population of first-time blood donors in the southwestern region of Goiás, Central Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 984 individuals were interviewed and gave blood samples to detect serological markers of HBV (HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An overall prevalence of 6.9% was found for HBV, with constituent prevalence rates of 3.6% and 11.6%, in subjects classified as fit and unfit to donate blood according the epidemiological screening, respectively. Only three individuals were positive for anti-HBs alone, suggesting previous vaccination against HBV. The variables of prior blood transfusion (OR = 2.3), tattoo/piercing (OR = 2.1), illicit drug use (OR = 2.3), sex with a partner with hepatitis (OR = 14.7), and history of sexually transmitted diseases (OR = 2.9) were independently associated with HBV-positivity. These data suggested a low endemicity of hepatitis B in the studied population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of low hepatitis B immunization coverage and the association of hepatitis B with risky behavior highlight that there is a need to intensify hepatitis B prevention programs in the southwest region of Goiás.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Goiás - UFG Campus Jataí, Jataí (GO), Brazil.
authors.forename: Giulena Rosa Leite Cardoso
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Dos Anjos
authors.forename: Regina Maria Bringel
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Megmar Aparecida Dos Santos
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Carneiro
authors.forename: Sandra Maria
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Brunini
authors.forename: Sheila Araujo
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Teles
keywords: Brazil; Hepatitis B/epidemiology; Hepatits B virus; Prevalence