[Seroprevalence of viral hepatitis B in university students in Abancay, Peru]

Rev Peru Med Exp Salud Publica. 2011 Jul-Sep;28(3):513-7. doi: 10.1590/s1726-46342011000300017.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

To determine the prevalence of serological markers of viral hepatitis B in university students of the city of Abancay, we performed a cross-sectional study on 240 students from three universities, from January to October 2010. Informed consent was requested to every student, an epidemiological record was filled, and a venous blood sample was drawn to determine the presence of HBsAg, total anti - HBcAg, anti - HBe, HBeAg and IgM Anti - HBc by ELISA. A prevalence of 2.5% (six positive samples) was found for HBsAg and of 28.3% (68 positive samples) for anti - HbcAg antibodies. The male sex was associated with the presence of anti - HBcAg (OR = 2.0, 95% CI, 1.2 to 3.6). We did not found HBeAg or IgM anti - HBc, however, the 6 HBsAg carriers were anti - HBe positive. In conclusion hepatitis B infection is still a public health problem in Abancay, with a significant prevalence in university students.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Hepatitis B / blood*
  • Hepatitis B / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis B Antigens / blood*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Students
  • Universities
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Hepatitis B Antigens