Abstract
ReSUMeN AbSTRACT Peru is considered a mid-high endemic country for viral hepatitis B virus (HBV) and its prevalence varies between regions. There is limited reported data of the problem of HBV infection in rural areas and military personnel. Objective. We evaluated risk factors associated with an increased risk of HBV infection in an outbreak among military personnel deployed in the rainforest region of Ampama, Amazonas, Peru. Material and methods. Case-control study amongst soldiers placed in Ampama post and El Milagro base. HBsAg and potential family, personal, hygiene and sanitation and specific risk factors for the area were evaluated. Results. A total of 123 male military personnel, 41 in each group (cases, control group 1 and control group 2) were included in the study. 73.2% of cases had confirmed HBV acute infection (IgM anti-HBc positive) and delta antibody was positive in 1/37 (2.7%) of the cases. None of the traditional risk factors showed a significant association with hepatitis B. Some risk factors with borderline association were contact with someone sick due to hepatitis B (OR 2.3, 95%IC 0.9 - 5.7) and bat bites (OR 1.6, 95%CI 0.6 - 4.4). Conclusions. The outbreak described was due to HBV and classical risk factors did not show an association with hepatitis B in this study. Military personnel are a risk group to develop HBV infection and HBV continues to be an important problem in these areas.
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