INTERMEDIATE ENDEMICITY OF HEPATITIS A VIRUS INFECTION IN RURAL SETTLEMENT PROJECTS OF SOUTHWEST GOIÁS, BRAZIL.
BACKGROUND
Rural populations present an elevated risk of exposure to hepatitis A virus.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and risk factors associated with hepatitis A virus infection among residents of rural settlement projects of southwest Goiás, Central Brazil.


METHODS
A total of 466 residents were interviewed and tested for the detection of anti- hepatitis A virus antibodies by ELISA.


RESULTS
The global prevalence of anti- hepatitis A virus was 82.2%. In individuals aged 5-9 years and 10-19 years, the prevalence was 15% and 58.8%, respectively. Persons in the 10-19 age group, with a history of life in encampments, with more than five people per residence consuming well water, were predictors for exposure to hepatitis A virus.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that the hepatitis A virus endemicity in rural settlements in southwest Goiás similar to that found in the urban population of the Midwest Region, confirming the implementation of universal hepatitis A vaccination in children.
Faculdade de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, BR.
Raquel Silva
RS
Pinheiro
Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, BR.
Lyriane Apolinário de
LA
Araújo
Faculdade de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, BR.
Karlla Antonieta Amorim
KA
Caetano
Faculdade de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, BR.
Marcos André de
MA
Matos
Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, BR.
Megmar Aparecida dos Santos
MA
Carneiro
Faculdade de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, BR.
Sheila Araújo
SA
Teles
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D017957:Hepatitis A Virus, Human; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult