Ethnicity, socioeconomic status, transfusions and risk of hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection

• Published in: Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology 1997-11, Vol.12 (11), p.752-757
• Main Authors: AKBAR, NURUL, BASUKI, BASTAMAN, GARABRANT, DAVID H, SULAIMAN, ALI, NOER, HM SJAIFOELLAH
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Alanine Transaminase - blood; Aspartate Aminotransferases - blood; Biological and medical sciences; Ethnic Groups; ethnicity; Family Characteristics; Female; hepatitis B; Hepatitis B - blood; Hepatitis B - epidemiology; Hepatitis B - immunology; Hepatitis B Antibodies - blood; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens - blood; hepatitis C; Hepatitis C - blood; Hepatitis C - epidemiology; Hepatitis C - immunology; Hepatitis C Antibodies - blood; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Risk Factors; Social Class; socioeconomic risk; transfusion; Transfusion Reaction; Tropical medicine; Viral diseases; Viral hepatitis
• ISSN: 0815-9319; 1440-1746
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.1997.tb00365.x

ABSTRACT This study identifies the risk factors for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) and measures the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to hepatitis C (anti‐HCV) in the general population of Jakarta. A population‐based sample of 985 people aged 15 and above was surveyed. Risk factors were identified through questionnaires and home visits. Serum was analysed for HBsAg, antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti‐HBs), anti‐HCV, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). The seroprevalence was: 4.0% (39/985) for HBsAg, 17.2% (170/985) for anti‐HBs, and 3.9% (38/985) for anti‐HCV. The risk factors for hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection had little in common. Low socioeconomic status was a strong risk factor for HBsAg (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 18.09; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.35–139.50). In addition, the Chinese group has 2.97 higher risk of having HBV infection compared with the Malayan ethnic group (adjusted OR 2.97; 95% CI 1.22–7.83). There was moderate positive trend between family size and risk of HBsAg positivity (P= 0.130). Age over 50 (adjusted OR 14.72; 95% CI 4.35–49.89) and history of transfusion were significant risk factors for hepatitis C (adjusted OR 3.03; 95% CI 1.25–7.33). Hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections have different risk factors in Jakarta, a high risk in population for both diseases. Hepatitis B transmission is associated with low socioeconomic status, Chinese ethnic group and large family size, while hepatitis C is associated with an older age and a history of transfusions.