1. What is the Role of the Horizontal Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Young Adult and Middle-Aged Roma Population Living in the Settlements in East Slovakia?
- Author
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Drazilova S, Kristian P, Janicko M, Halanova M, Safcak D, Dorcakova PD, Marekova M, Pella D, Madarasova-Geckova A, Jarcuska P, and HepaMeta Team
- Subjects
- Adult, Aged, Cross-Sectional Studies, Hepatitis B Antibodies, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Prevalence, Rural Population, Slovakia epidemiology, Young Adult, Hepatitis B epidemiology, Hepatitis B transmission, Hepatitis B virus pathogenicity, Roma, Substance Abuse, Intravenous
- Abstract
Background : The aim of our work is to objectify the manner of transmission of HBV infection in young adult and middle-aged Roma people who live in the settlements. Methods : We used data from the cross-sectional study HepaMeta. We analyzed Roma people living in the settlements in East Slovakia, who have had HBsAg and anti HBc IgG antibodies examined. Results : We analyzed a cohort of 452 Roma participants with a mean of age 34.67 ± 9.14 years-159 (35.2%) were males. HBsAg positivity was diagnosed in 12.4% and the presence of anti HBc IgG antibodies was confirmed in 52% of participants. Prevalence of HBsAg positivity increases significantly with higher age, ( p = 0.026), as well as the presence of anti HBc IgG antibodies ( p < 0.0001). The prevalence of HBsAg positivity has doubled and anti HBc IgG positivity has tripled within two decades (<25 years vs. 35-45 years) in Roma settlements in East Slovakia. Conclusions : These findings allow us to express an opinion that horizontal transmission in adulthood may play an important role in the spreading of HBV infection.
- Published
- 2020
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