Soroepidemiologia da infecção pelo vírus da hepatite A em "meninos de/na rua" de Goiânia-Goiás

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was performed to determine the age-prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) among street youth from Goiania city--Central Brazil, and to determine if any risk factors could be identified. The surveys were conducted between 1991/1992. The street youth were 397 individuals aged 7 to 21 years old living in institutions and teenagers working at streets. Then, 313 adolescents working at streets and with family links, and 84 institutionalized ones without family were screened for antibodies against HAV. Prevalences ranged from 80.0% to 92.2% to total anti-HAV and there was not a statistically significant trend of positivity with age in this group. Univariate analysis for risk factors associated with HAV infection was performed with no statistically significant difference for adolescents working at streets and living with parents, and street youth with family links. Economic variables were not statistically associated with seropositivity, probable due to homogeneous characteristics of the group. This study disclosed that street youth have a high rate of HAV infection. These findings do not suggest differences between subgroups of populations in acquiring immunity to HVA. The public health implication and the need of screening other subgroups of population of the same city were suggested in order to discuss vaccine strategy in underdeveloped countries.

Prevalence of anti-hepatits A antibodies in children of different socioeconomic conditions in Vila Velha, ES

“…The city has 346,878 inhabitants 17 , living in the urban periphery (low our low-middle socioeconomic status) and in the downtown, near the beach (high socioeconomic status). 32 Rio de Janeiro, RJ NA 97 Oliveira et al 21 Rio de Janeiro, RJ NA 54.3 Queiroz et al 25 Goiânia, GO 80 92.9 Queiroz et al 26 Goiânia, GO 69.7 NA Ferreira et a l8 Porto Alegre, RS 7*/53** 17*/71** Pinho et al 24 Campinas, SP NA 19.6*/95** Vitral et al 31 Rio de Janeiro, RJ 34% 66 Focaccia et al 10 São Paulo, SP 28% 56 Struchiner et al 28 Rio de Janeiro, RJ 12*/36.6** NA Clemens et al 6 Manaus 2 3 Duque de Caxias, RJ 60.3 89.4 * high socioeconomic class; ** low socioeconomic; # urban population; ## rural population; NA not available.…”

Hepatite A: soroprevalência e fatores associados em escolares de São Luís (MA), Brasil

“…High endemicity is found in countries with poor sanitary conditions and social disadvantage, and the infection occurs mainly in young children. Intermediate rates are typically found in countries with economies in transition in which children may not be infected, which makes adults more susceptible to this disease, and lastly, low or very low rates are found in industrialized countries where the disease is restricted to risk groups and outbreaks 8,9 .…”

Seroprevalence of hepatitis A antibodies in a group of normal and Down Syndrome children in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil

“…Racial, ethnical, and geographical differences in HAV transmission rates actually reflect variations in the socioeconomic level and resulting life conditions of patients [9,10]. Prevalence of anti-HAV is inversely proportional to the per capita income of the population [7][8][9][10]17]. In Brazil, although a great part of the population pertains to a low socioeconomic level, there are many variations in sanitary and hygienic conditions.…”

“…With the commercial availability of the hepatitis A vaccine, the performance of prevalence studies aimed at determining which populations should be vaccinated has become opportune and relevant [17]. It is possible to calculate vaccination costs and to establish target groups as well as the lower age limit and prevalence rates for prevaccination screening [26].…”

“…The high cost of available vaccines, the financial restrictions in the public health system, and the seroepidemiological patterns of HAV infection justify studies on the efficiency of systematic detection of anti-HAV prior to vaccination, in order to establish the minimum prevalence required for the determination of disease markers [8,17]. In any case, prevaccination screening is indicated for groups with high infection rates.…”