Epidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in truck drivers in Brazil, South America

• Published in: Sexually transmitted infections Vol. 84; no. 5; p. 386
• Main Authors: Matos, M A, Martins, R M Bringel, da Silva França, D D, Pessoni, G C, Ferreira, R C, Matos, M A D, Brunini, S M, Junqueira, A L N, Carneiro, M A Dos Santos, Teles, S A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-10-2008
• Subjects: Adult; Automobile Driving - statistics & numerical data; Brazil - epidemiology; Female; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens - blood; Hepatitis B virus - isolation & purification; Hepatitis B, Chronic - epidemiology; Humans; Male; Occupational Diseases - epidemiology; Prevalence; Regression Analysis; Socioeconomic Factors; Brazil
• ISSN: 1472-3263
• DOI: 10.1136/sti.2008.030205

To investigate the epidemiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and viral genotypes in long distance truck drivers in Brazil.
We interviewed 641 long distance truck drivers to gather data on sociodemographics and risk factors and collected blood samples to test for HBV markers (HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc) by ELISA. HBsAg-positive samples were submitted to HBV DNA detection and genotyped.
We found a global HBV prevalence of 18.9% (95% CI 15.9 to 22.2). Thirty truck drivers (4.7%) had only anti-HBs, suggesting that they had a previous HBV vaccination. More than 20 years in the profession, more than 15 days away from home and a history of sexual transmitted infections were independently and positivity associated with HBV markers. HBV DNA was detected in nine samples in which genotypes A (n = 5), D (n = 2) and F (n = 2) were found.
These findings confirm that truck drivers are at high risk for hepatitis B infection and highlight the importance of having a public health policy that addresses this population and is based on the characteristics of HBV acquisition and dissemination.