The prevalence of hepatitis A, B and C infection among different ethnic groups in Belize.
Am J Trop Med Hyg
; 49(4): 430-4, 1993 Oct.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-7692752
Little is known about the prevalence of infection with hepatitis viruses in Belize, Central America. We conducted a serologic survey among members of the Belize Defence Force (BDF), which is composed of the five major ethnic groups in Belize, to estimate prevalence rates of hepatitis A, B, and C among military-aged men and women in Belize. Of approximately 600 men and women in the BDF, 492 (82%) completed a questionnaire and blood collection. Antibody to hepatitis A was found in 94%, with similar rates by age, sex, rank, and ethnicity. Antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) was found in 31%. Rates of anti-HBc varied significantly among the ethnic groups with the lowest rates in Mestizo (5%) and Mayan Indians (9%), and significantly higher rates among Creoles (30%) and Garifuna (56%). Rates increased with increasing age from 28% in those 18-24 years old to 35% in those > or = 35 years old (P = 0.07, by chi-square test for trend). Hepatitis B surface antigen was found in 21 (4%) overall. Antibody to hepatitis C was found in two (0.4%). In this young healthy population, exposure to hepatitis A before the age of 18 is almost universal, while exposure to hepatitis B is related to age and ethnic origin.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Etnicidade
/
Hepatite C
/
Hepatite A
/
Hepatite B
/
Militares
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
País/Região como assunto:
America central
/
Belice
/
Caribe ingles
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Am J Trop Med Hyg
Ano de publicação:
1993
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de publicação:
Estados Unidos