RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Female sex workers (FSWs) are vulnerable to human alphaherpesvirus 2 (HSV-2) infection due to their high numbers of sexual partners. The objective of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence and risk behaviours associated with HSV-2. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. A total of 376 FSWs were recruited by respondent-driven sampling (RDS) methodology and answered an epidemiological questionnaire. Blood samples were collected to test for HSV-2 antibodies using commercial ELISA and for HSV-2 DNA using real-time PCR. RESULTS: The seropositivity was 47.3% (178/376) for HSV-2 IgG and 10.1% (38/376) for HSV-2 IgM. HSV-2 viraemia was detected in two infected FSWs with primary infections. In bivariate and multivariate analyses, the OR for HSV-2 IgG increased with age (OR=2.53-7.90, OR=2.66-6.37) and the number of sexual partners (OR=2.30-3.25). On the other hand, daily alcohol consumption (OR=0.10) and the use of condoms during the last intercourse (OR=0.47) were protective factors against HSV-2 acquisition. CONCLUSION: Despite the impact of FSWs in public health policies with the dissemination of sexually transmitted infections, there have been few studies performed regarding the prevalence of HSV-2 in Brazil, making it difficult to implement any control or preventative measures. The results produced here using an RDS methodology demonstrated a high prevalence, risk behaviours and primary infection among the FSWs. These results reinforce the need to implement control and preventative measures for HSV-2 infection in this population.
Asunto(s)
Herpesvirus Humano 2/inmunología , Trabajadores Sexuales/estadística & datos numéricos , Enfermedades de Transmisión Sexual/epidemiología , Enfermedades de Transmisión Sexual/inmunología , Adulto , Brasil/epidemiología , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Herpesvirus Humano 2/genética , Herpesvirus Humano 2/aislamiento & purificación , Humanos , Prevalencia , Factores de Riesgo , Asunción de Riesgos , Estudios Seroepidemiológicos , Conducta Sexual/estadística & datos numéricos , Enfermedades de Transmisión Sexual/sangre , Enfermedades de Transmisión Sexual/virología , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C and risk behaviors among 402 female sex workers in Central Brazil were investigated by respondent-driven sampling. METHODS: Blood samples were tested for hepatitis B and C markers by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Two hepatitis B vaccination schedules were performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of hepatitis B and C infections were 9.3% and 0.5%, respectively. Susceptibility to hepatitis B infection was observed in 61.5% of subjects. There was no significant difference in adherence index (p=0.52) between vaccination schedules and all participants had protective antibody titers. CONCLUSIONS: This hard-to-reach population requires hepatitis B and C surveillance.
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Hepatitis B/epidemiología , Hepatitis C/epidemiología , Trabajadores Sexuales/estadística & datos numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , Brasil/epidemiología , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , Femenino , Hepacivirus/inmunología , Hepatitis B/diagnóstico , Hepatitis B/prevención & control , Virus de la Hepatitis B/inmunología , Hepatitis C/diagnóstico , Hepatitis C/prevención & control , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Prevalencia , Asunción de Riesgos , Factores Socioeconómicos , Vacunas contra Hepatitis Viral/administración & dosificación , Vacunas contra Hepatitis Viral/inmunología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Abstract INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C and risk behaviors among 402 female sex workers in Central Brazil were investigated by respondent-driven sampling. METHODS: Blood samples were tested for hepatitis B and C markers by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Two hepatitis B vaccination schedules were performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of hepatitis B and C infections were 9.3% and 0.5%, respectively. Susceptibility to hepatitis B infection was observed in 61.5% of subjects. There was no significant difference in adherence index (p=0.52) between vaccination schedules and all participants had protective antibody titers. CONCLUSIONS: This hard-to-reach population requires hepatitis B and C surveillance.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Femenino , Adolescente , Adulto , Adulto Joven , Vacunas contra Hepatitis Viral/administración & dosificación , Hepatitis C/epidemiología , Trabajadores Sexuales/estadística & datos numéricos , Hepatitis B/epidemiología , Asunción de Riesgos , Factores Socioeconómicos , Brasil/epidemiología , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , Vacunas contra Hepatitis Viral/inmunología , Virus de la Hepatitis B/inmunología , Prevalencia , Hepatitis C/diagnóstico , Hepatitis C/prevención & control , Hepacivirus/inmunología , Hepatitis B/diagnóstico , Hepatitis B/prevención & control , Persona de Mediana EdadRESUMEN
Population-based prevalence studies are essential tools for screening of hepatitis A and provide important data on susceptible groups. However, surveillance in isolated communities is difficult because of the limited access to these areas and the need for blood sample collection. This study aimed to determine the anti-HAV prevalence using oral fluid samples to provide an alternative tool for epidemiological studies that might be useful for vaccination-related decisions. The study population was composed of 224 volunteers from South Pantanal, aged 3 to 86 years old. This study was performed using oral fluids, previously standardized for anti-HAV antibody detection, which were collected using a ChemBio device. Eluates were tested using modified commercial EIA to detect anti-HAV antibodies. The overall prevalence was 79.1%, corresponding to 178 reactive EIA tests out of 224 samples. The age stratified data revealed a prevalence of 47.8% between 0-10 years, 84% in 11-20 years and 91.9% in subjects older than 21 years. Results indicate that hepatitis A prevalence was higher in adolescents and adults, corroborating the literature reports. Thus, oral fluid samples could replace serum in HAV epidemiological studies in isolated communities as they are efficient at detecting anti-HAV antibodies.