Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infections and vaccination status for hepatitis B virus in the Federal Highway Police workers, Pará State, Brazil, 2013-2014

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the seroprevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) infections and the immune response to HBV in Federal Highway Police workers from Pará State, Brazil.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Descriptive exploratory quantitative study focusing on worker health surveillance, conducted from November 2013 to December 2014, including 221 employees, policemen and administrative assistants. Blood samples were collected from the participants for HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs and anti-HCV serological tests by immunoenzymatic techniques.

RESULTS:

Of the examined workers, the higher frequency for sex was male (90.0%) and age prevalence was 41-50 years (33.5%). It was not found individuals reactive for HBsAg and anti-HCV. The study showed prevalence of 8.1% for anti-HBc+/anti-HBs+, 9.5% for isolated anti-HBc+, and 42.1% for isolated anti-HBs+.

CONCLUSION:

The detection of markers of past HBV infection in the samples indicated the circulation of this virus, and the high number of susceptible individuals found may lead to the emergence of new HBV infected individuals and/or carriers. The absence of HCV circulation among those workers suggests that prevention and health promotion actions should be developed to control the infection in this population.