Prevalencia de hepatitis viral A y B y factores de riesgo asociados a su infección en la población escolar de un distrito de Huánuco - Perú

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Objective: To determine the prevalence of serologic markers for viral hepatitis A and B infections in school boys and girls in Huanuco district, and to identify the risk factors associated to these infections. Materials and methods: In this analytic cross-sectional study; we selected a randomized and stratified sample comprising 270 subjects from the total school population in different institutions in Huanuco district, between April and December 2000. The presence of HBsAg and anti-HAV antibodies was assessed, as well as the presence of anti-HbcAg total antibodies, IgM anti-HBcAg antibodies, anti-HDV and "e" antigen in peripheral blood (the latter three tests were performed only in subjects positive for HBsAg). Risk factors for these two viruses were determined using an epidemiological survey. Results: 257 (95,2%) students had anti-HAV antibodies, 8 (3,0%) were found to be HBsAg carriers, 62 (23,0%) had anti-HBcAg antibodies and none of the eight HBsAg carriers had anti-HDV antibodies, IgM anti-HBcAg antibodies, not even "e" antigen (HBeAg). Being older than 11 years old was associated to the presence of anti-HAV (OR=14,3, p<0,001). Living in adobe houses was associated to HBsAg reactivity (OR=5,1, p=0,045) and having sexual activity was also associated to the presence of anti-HBcAg anti- bodies (OR=6,49, p=0,003). Conclusions: Huanuco district has high endemicity for HAV and intermediate endemicity for HBV. Being older than 11 years was associated to a higher prevalence of HAV infection; and living under precarious conditions and precocious sexual activity were associated with a higher prevalence of HBV infection.