RESUMO
A high prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and C virus (HCV) infections has been reported among specific patient groups in Libya; a survey was thus designed to determine the extent of the problem at the national level. A multi-stage sampling design covering all administrative areas of Libya was applied, covering > 65,000 individuals of all age groups. All subjects gave a blood sample and completed a questionnaire on demographic and risk behaviour data. The prevalence of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV were 2.2% and 1.3% respectively. The prevalence of anti-HCV increased with age, rising gradually after age 30 years, in contrast to a stable prevalence of HBsAg in all age groups 10+ years. Age-adjusted risk factors for HCV infection were previous hospitalization, surgical operations, previous blood transfusions and intravenous drug use; for HBV infection only family exposure or contact with HBV case were identified.
Assuntos
Hepatite B/epidemiologia , Hepatite C/epidemiologia , Abuso de Substâncias por Via Intravenosa/complicações , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Operatórios/efeitos adversos , Reação Transfusional , Adolescente , Adulto , Distribuição por Idade , Idoso , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Hepatite B/sangue , Hepatite B/transmissão , Antígenos de Superfície da Hepatite B/sangue , Antígenos de Superfície da Hepatite B/imunologia , Hepatite C/sangue , Hepatite C/transmissão , Anticorpos Anti-Hepatite C/sangue , Anticorpos Anti-Hepatite C/imunologia , Humanos , Líbia/epidemiologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prevalência , Fatores de Risco , Assunção de Riscos , Estudos Soroepidemiológicos , Distribuição por Sexo , Adulto JovemRESUMO
A high prevalence of hepatitis B [HBV] and C virus [HCV] infections has been reported among specific patient groups in Libya; a survey was thus designed to determine the extent of the problem at the national level. A multi-stage sampling design covering all administrative areas of Libya was applied, covering > 65 000 individuals of all age groups. All subjects gave a blood sample and completed a questionnaire on demographic and risk behaviour data. The prevalence of HBV surface antigen [HBsAg] and anti-HCV were 2.2% and 1.3% respectively. The prevalence of anti-HCV increased with age, rising gradually after age 30 years, in contrast to a stable prevalence of HBsAg in all age groups 10+ years. Age-adjusted risk factors for HCV infection were previous hospitalization, surgical operations, previous blood transfusions and intravenous drug use; for HBV infection only family exposure or contact with HBV case were identified