INTERMEDIATE ENDEMICITY OF HEPATITIS A VIRUS INFECTION IN RURAL SETTLEMENT PROJECTS OF SOUTHWEST GOIÁS, BRAZIL.

Abstract

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.

CONCLUSION:

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.

• Authors: Raquel Silva Pinheiro, Lyriane Apolinário de Araújo, Karlla Antonieta Amorim Caetano, Marcos André de Matos, Megmar Aparecida dos Santos Carneiro, Sheila Araújo Teles
• Journal: Arquivos de gastroenterologia (Arq Gastroenterol) Vol. 52 Issue 3 Pg. 200-3 ( 2015) ISSN: 1678-4219 [Electronic] Brazil
• PMID: 26486287 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Age Distribution
• Brazil (epidemiology)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Endemic Diseases
• Female
• Hepatitis A (epidemiology, virology)
• Hepatitis A Virus, Human
• Humans
• Male
• Prevalence
• Risk Factors
• Rural Population (statistics & numerical data)
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Young Adult