Resumen

SOUTO, Francisco José Dutra et al. Prevalence of hepatitis B in a hiperendemic rural area in the Amazon region of Mato Grosso State: epidemiological situation. Epidemiol. Serv. Saúde [online]. 2004, vol.13, n.2, pp.93-102. ISSN 1679-4974.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/S1679-49742004000200003.

An outbreak of hepatitis B was identified in 1995, involving farmers recently settled in Cotriguaçu county, in northwestern Mato Grosso State, Brazil. A vaccination campaign was performed after the report. In the following years the vaccination strategy remained, specially focused on the new immigrants still arriving. To assess the current epidemiological situation and the impact of prior vaccination a new survey of hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers was carried out in 2001. Nova União community was chosen because at present it has been the most attractive site to migrants. The study included 838 subjects. The overall seroprevalence of HBV markers was 40.0%; 2.1% were HBV carriers, and 40.8% were protected by vaccine. Among HBV carriers, 28% had serological marker for hepatitis B. The HBV markers-associated variables were: sexual activity; regular use of alcohol; hepatitis case communicant; and having lived in gold mining camps. The moderate prevalence of HBV markers observed in the current study is lower than the high HBV prevalence noted in 1995. HBV was associated with increasing age and initiation of sexual activity. Since immigration to this area remains intense, it is recommended that mass vaccination should be continued. The progressive entry of HDV in this region should keep public health authorities on alert.

Palabras clave : epidemiology of hepatitis B; migration; Amazon.

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