Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (Jan 2014)

Epidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection among recyclable waste collectors in central Brazil

  • Tamíris Augusto Marinho,
  • Carmen Luci Rodrigues Lopes,
  • Sheila Araújo Teles,
  • Marcos André de Matos,
  • Márcia Alves Dias de Matos,
  • Aline Garcia Kozlowski,
  • Marina Pedroso de Oliveira,
  • Ágabo Macêdo da Costa e Silva,
  • Regina Maria Bringel Martins

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0177-2013
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 47, no. 1
pp. 18 – 23

Abstract

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Introduction: The collection of recyclable waste materials is a widespread activity among the urban poor. Today, this occupation attracts an increasingly large number of individuals. Despite its economic and environmental importance, this activity is associated with unsafe and unhealthy working conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the seroepidemiological profile of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in a population of recyclable waste collectors in central Brazil. Methods: Recyclable waste collectors from all 15 recycling cooperatives in Goiânia City were invited to participate in the study. The participants (n = 431) were interviewed and screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies against HBsAg (anti-HBs) and hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HBsAg- and anti-HBc-positive samples were tested for HBV DNA and genotyped. Results: The overall prevalence of HBV infection (HBsAg- and/or anti-HBc-positive) was 12.8%. An age over 40 years and illicit drug use were associated with HBV infection. HBV DNA was detected in 2/3 HBsAg-positive samples and in 1/52 anti-HBc-positive/HBsAg-negative samples (an occult HBV infection rate of 1.9%), in which the genotypes/subgenotypes A/A1, D/D3 and F/F2 were identified. Only 12.3% of the recyclable waste collectors had serological evidence of previous HBV vaccination. Conclusions: These findings highlight the vulnerability of recyclable waste collectors to HBV infection and reinforce the importance of public health policies that address the health and safety of this socially vulnerable population.

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