title: Hepatitis B and C in a Brazilian deaf community.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although deaf people are exposed to hepatitis B and C risk factors, epidemiological studies regarding these diseases in deaf people are lacking.
  
  
  METHODS
  After watching an explanatory digital versatile disc (DVD) in Brazilian Sign Language, 88 deaf people were interviewed and tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc), and hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of hepatitis B markers was 8%; they were associated with incarceration and being born outside the State of São Paulo. No cases of hepatitis C were identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participants showed a substantial lack of knowledge regarding viral hepatitis, indicating a need for public policies that consider linguistic and cultural profiles.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Social, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bianca Messenberg
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Pacher
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Social, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marina Ribeiro Barreto da
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Social, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Margarida Maria Passeri do
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Nascimento
authors.affiliation: Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Cecilia de
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Moura
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Social, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Afonso Dinis Costa
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Passos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019986:Persons with Hearing Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies