Perfil epidemiológico do vírus da hepatite B em adultos e idosos de um município de pequeno porte de Goiás

• Autor(a) principal: Brandão, Leyla Gabriela Verner Amaral
• Data de Publicação: 2019
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Repositório Institucional da UFG
• Texto Completo: http://repositorio.bc.ufg.br/tede/handle/tede/9680
• topic: Hepatite B; Adultos; Meia-idade; Idoso; Epidemiologia; Estudos transversais; Hepatitis B; Adults; Middle-age; Elderly; Epidemiology; Cross-sectional studies; CIENCIAS DA SAUDE::ENFERMAGEM

In Brazil, current trends in the epidemiology of hepatitis B show a shift in its profile, indicating an increase among elderly populations. We conducted a cross-sectional and analytical study in order to investigate the epidemiological profile of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in adult and elderly residents of a small-sized municipality in the Southeast region of the state of Goiás. Data were gathered between July and August 2017, and 445 individuals aged 40 and over were recruited. All participants were interviewed and tested for serologic markers of hepatitis B (HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc) by means of an immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA). Reactive HBsAg samples were tested for serologic markers of HBeAg, anti-HBe, and anti-HBclgM, as well as for HBV DNA through semi-nested PCR. We carried out bivariate and multiple analyses by means of logistic regression in order to identify the association between HBV exposure and sociodemographic and behavioral variables. Study participants included mostly females (61.8%), of which nearly half (44.3%) were aged 60 and over, and 57.5% were married or in consented relationships. As for education, over 60% had over 5 years of schooling. Regarding their place of residence, 11% dwelt in the countryside. Sixty-six participants presented at least one HBV exposure serologic marker adding up to a global prevalence of 14.8% (IC95%: 11.7% - 18.5%), whereas HBsAg prevalence was 0.6% (IC95%:0.2% -2.0%). Our findings show that variables such as being 50-59 (p=0.023) and ≥ 60 years of age (p=0.007), dwelling in the countryside (p=0.009), having a history of genital warts (p=0.034), and having sexual intercourse with sex workers (p=0.023) were significantly associated with HBV exposure. We identified a knowledge gap regarding the parenteral transmission of the virus among the participants, with 42.7% being unaware of the risk of HBV transmission through the shared used of razor blades, and 38.4% of the risk of transmission of viral hepatitis during surgical procedures. At last, three study participants tested positive for HBsAg indicating active hepatitis B infection. Risky parenteral and sexual behaviors were identified among the carriers, which contributes effectively to HBV transmission. Results highlight the necessity for effective preventive measures of hepatitis B targeting the elderly and corroborate individual, social and programmatic vulnerability. To do so, ongoing awareness campaigns for health care providers with emphasis on STDs prevention for individuals in their forties are necessary.