Decline in hepatitis B and C prevalence among hemodialysis patients in Tocantins, Northern Brazil.

Infection control measures have been responsible for a decline in the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in hemodialysis patients. In Brazil, these measures have been in place since 1996. The aim of this study was to evaluate the current HBV and HCV epidemiology among hemodialysis patients in the State of Tocantins comparing them with those found 14 years ago. There was a significant decline in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV prevalence from 4% and 13% in 2001 to 0.8% and 2.8% in 2014-2015, respectively (p < 0.05). Variables related to hemodialysis environment such as working shift and length of time on hemodialysis treatment were no longer associated to HCV and HBV exposure in 2014-2015. A high prevalence of self-reported hepatitis B vaccination was observed in both periods, but only 30% of the individuals showed serological profile of effective previous immunization, suggesting a low compliance with surveillance of hepatitis B immunization in hemodialysis centers. The significant decline in viral hepatitis B and C prevalence in hemodialysis patients in Tocantins underscores the importance of infection control measures, but the low frequency of protective serological profile after immunization against hepatitis B points to the need for greater vigilance of the patients' vaccination.

Ser portador de hepatite C: sentimentos e expectativas / Being a hepatitis C carrier: feelings and expectatives / Paciente con hepatitis C: sentimientos y expectativas

A hepatite C é uma doença infecciosa, com elevado potencial de evolução para cirrose e/ou carcinoma hepatocelular, que cursa silenciosamente, implicando ao seu portador um prognóstico obscuro em que o indivíduo é um ser doente sem nada sentir. Objetivou-se descrever a vivência de pessoas portadoras do vírus da hepatite C relacionada à infecção e suas conseqüências. Desenvolveu-se um estudo qualitativo em uma instituição hospitalar pública de Goiânia-GO, especializada em doenças infecto-contagiosas. Foram entrevistados oito sujeitos no mês de agosto de 2007, e os dados analisados pela técnica de análise de conteúdo temático. A partir da análise, emergiram três categorias: sofrimento e impotência frente à infecção; luta e dificuldades enfrentadas; e fé como força motivadora. Nota-se que o sofrimento desses indivíduos está relacionado à patologia de base e aos efeitos colaterais do tratamento que levam a mudanças de vida, contudo, buscam na fé uma força motivadora.

Hepatitis C is an infectious disease with elevated potential of developing into cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma, which acts silently, offering its bearers a dark prognosis in which they are sick without feeling a thing. In order to describe life for people with hepatitis C related to infection and its consequences, a qualitative study was developed in a public hospital specialized in contagious diseases in Goiânia-GO, Brazil. Eight people were interviewed in August of 2007, and the data was analyzed by the thematic content analysis technique. From this analysis three categories emerged: suffering and impotence facing infection, fighting and difficulties faced, and faith as a motivating power. It was noted that these individuals' suffering is related to base pathology and side effects from treatment, which lead to life changes. However, they find in faith a motivating power.

La hepatitis C es una enfermedad infectocontagiosa, con alto potencial evolutivo para cirrosis y/o carcinoma hepatocelular, que ataca silenciosamente, provocando que el enfermo tenga un pronóstico preocupante, ya que el individuo está enfermo, sin sentir nada. Para describir la vivencia de personas que tienen el virus de la hepatitis C relacionadas a la infección y sus consecuencias, fue desarrollado un estudio cualitativo en una institución hospitalaria pública de Goiânia-GO, especializada en enfermedades infectocontagiosas. Fueron entrevistados ocho sujetos en el mes de agosto de 2007, y sus datos fueron analizados por la técnica de análisis de contenido temático. A partir del análisis surgieron tres categorías: sufrimiento e impotencia ante la infección, lucha y dificultades enfrentadas, y, la fe como fuerza motivadora. Es perceptible que el sufrimiento de esos individuos está relacionado con la patología de base y con los efectos colaterales del tratamiento, los cuales provocan cambios de vida, sin embargo, ellos buscan en la fe, una fuerza motivadora.