Sexually Transmitted Infections 2008;84:386-389
EPIDEMIOLOGY
Epidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in truck drivers in Brazil, South America
1 Faculdade de Enfermagem, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
2 Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
Correspondence to:
Dr Sheila Araujo Teles, Rua T. 38, n. 1097, apto 201, S. Bueno, CEP: 74223–040, Goiânia-Goiás, Brazil; Sheila{at}fen.ufg.br
Objective: To investigate the epidemiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and viral genotypes in long distance truck drivers in Brazil.
Methods: We interviewed 641 long distance truck drivers to gather data on sociodemographics and risk factors and collected blood samples to test for HBV markers (HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc) by ELISA. HBsAg-positive samples were submitted to HBV DNA detection and genotyped.
Results: We found a global HBV prevalence of 18.9% (95% CI 15.9 to 22.2). Thirty truck drivers (4.7%) had only anti-HBs, suggesting that they had a previous HBV vaccination. More than 20 years in the profession, more than 15 days away from home and a history of sexual transmitted infections were independently and positivity associated with HBV markers. HBV DNA was detected in nine samples in which genotypes A (n = 5), D (n = 2) and F (n = 2) were found.
Conclusions: These findings confirm that truck drivers are at high risk for hepatitis B infection and highlight the importance of having a public health policy that addresses this population and is based on the characteristics of HBV acquisition and dissemination.
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