Initial report of a viral hepatitis investigation in rural Belize - abstract
West Indian med. j
; 41(Suppl. 1): 17, Apr. 1992.
Article
in English
| MedCarib
| ID: med-6482
Responsible library:
JM3.1
Localization: JM3.1; R18.W4
ABSTRACT
In spring 1991, concern was expressed in Belize about a hepatitis outbreak. A cross-sectional study was designed to address hepatitis prevalence in a farming district. Three populations were identified anyone meeting a case definition for hepatitis, any designated worker, and a random sample of the community by household. Survey information was collected on the farm, household, and individual. Sera were collected for laboratory study. This study reports on the current findings from 509 sera collected in June 1991. There had been widespread exposure to hepatitis A(98 percent). New hepatitis was primarily due to hepatitis B(24 percent of clinical cases, 4 percent of people in the random household sample, and 5 percent of workers). In our total, 16 percent had hepatitis B surface antigen and were potential carriers, while 73 percent had evidence of past hepatitis C by our detection method, and delta particle was not present in any of the tested cases. Hepatitis E antibody was detected in two cases. One risk revolved around perceptions of good medical care, using injectable medications. (AU)
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Collection:
International databases
Database:
MedCarib
Main subject:
Hepatitis
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Central America
/
Belize
/
English Caribbean
Language:
English
Journal:
West Indian med. j
Year:
1992
Document type:
Article
/
Congress and conference