Vulnerability to Hepatitis B among Young Adolescents of the Public-School Network

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the vulnerability of young adolescents attending public schools to hepatitis B virus exposure and their vaccination status. Material and Methods: This is a cross-sectional and quantitative study, with descriptive and analytical approaches, carried out with 1,061 students aged 15 to 19 years enrolled in a high school of the public network in Lagarto and Tobias Barreto, Sergipe, Brazil. The data were obtained through a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic features and risk behaviors (n=1.061) and by the analysis of vaccination history (n=183). Univariate and bivariate descriptive statistical tests were used. Results: There was a high exposure to some risk factors for hepatitis B among the participants of this study (68.4%; n=726), including the use of manicure materials (45.3%; n=481), toothbrush sharing (25.4%; n=269), and sexual intercourse without condoms (19.5%; n=207). These risk behaviors were associated with the age group (53% aged 17 to 19 years; n=385; p=0.03), gender (72.7% females; n=524; p=0.00) and zone of residence of the students (54.4% urban zone; n=395; p=0.00). The rate of immunization against hepatitis B was 88% and the absence of a complete vaccination history was associated with the age group (63.6% aged 17 to 19 years; n=14; p=0.03) and residence (81.8% urban zone; n=18; p=0.00). Conclusion: The young adolescents surveyed were considered vulnerable to hepatitis B because they exhibited behaviors that put them at risk for viral exposure, and many of them were not immunized. DESCRIPTORS Hepatitis B.Adolescent.Students.Risk Factors.Vaccination.