Soroprevalência de Hepatite A associado a fatores de risco em comunidade ribeirinha urbana - Vila Candelária Porto Velho, Rondônia, Amazônia Ocidental, Brasil

Abstract

This paper was carried out through a doar to door questionary taken in the month of October, 2001, in a waterside community called Vila Candelária in the city of Porto Velho, Rondônia, north of Brazil. The aim of this research is to determine serum prevalence of hepatitis A and to define possible relations concerned with the risks of the disease. There were one hundred forty three people of both genders, which ages varied between zero and eighty. Afier registering them, the next procedure was to get data not only about their living conditions but also oftheir sanitation, family income and also about their biological material. To detect ali the antibodies of hepatitis A vírus, we used ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay), which is produced by DiaSorin, with specification: ETI - AB - HAVK - 3 (POOI652). The percentage of serum prevalence found in the research were 41,6%; 55,5%, 66,6%; 88% and 100% in the ages ofO to 4; 5 to 9; 10 to 14; 15 to 19 and over 40. The results present a 86% serum prevalence of hepatitis A. This is a quite high rate, although there is a great reduction among 19-year-old youngs. This fact may be due to the public water supply in the area, which has been provided since 1982. The research also emphatizes how important other researches are so that investments in social programs like living, healthy and sanitation can be put in a rank according to the needs of the communities.