HBV Infection in Relation to Consistent Condom Use: A Population-Based Study in Peru

Abstract

BackgroundData on hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence are limited in developing countries. There is also limited information of consistent condom use efficacy for reducing HBV transmission at the population level. The study goal was to evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with HBV infection in Peru, and the relationship between anti-HBc positivity and consistent condom use.Methods and FindingsData from two different surveys performed in 28 mid-sized Peruvian cities were analyzed. Participants aged 18–29 years were selected using a multistage cluster sampling. Information was collected through a validated two-part questionnaire. The first part (face-to-face) concerned demographic data, while the second part (self-administered using handheld computers) concerned sexual behavior. Hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) was tested in 7,000 blood samples. Prevalences and associations were adjusted for sample strata, primary sampling units and population weights. Anti-HBc prevalence was 5.0% (95%CI 4.1%–5.9%), with the highest prevalence among jungle cities: 16.3% (95%CI 13.8%–19.1%). In the multivariable analysis, Anti-HBc positivity was directly associated with geographic region (highlands OR = 2.05; 95%CI 1.28–3.27, and jungle OR = 4.86; 95%CI 3.05–7.74; compared to coastal region); and inversely associated with age at sexual debut (OR = 0.90; 95%CI 0.85–0.97). Consistent condom use, evaluated in about 40% of participants, was associated with reduced prevalence (OR = 0.34; 95%CI 0.15–0.79) after adjusting for gender, geographic region, education level, lifetime number of sex partners, age at sexual debut and year of survey.ConclusionResidence in highlands or jungle cities is associated with higher anti-HBc prevalences, whereas increasing age at sexual debut were associated with lower prevalences. Consistent condom use was associated with decreased risk of anti-HBc. Findings from this study emphasize the need of primary prevention programs (vaccination) especially in the jungle population, and imply that condom use promotion might be a potential strategy to prevent HBV infection.

Awareness and Opinions about Hepatitis B among Secondary School Teachers in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria

“…This finding is in consensus with researches of the past which Identified sharing of needles/syringes and personal care items, direct contact with blood and sores, and unprotected sex as rick factors for the contraction of Hepatitis B, and vaccination as the mainstay of the infection [2,5,14,15]. According to WHO [2], the Hepatitis B vaccine as effectively prevented HBV infection since 1982, that perhaps the reason why [16] emphasized the need for prevention programs (vaccination) and imply that condom use promotion could be a potential strategy to prevent HBV infection and other sexually transmitted pathogens. teachers obtain their information about Hepatitis B.…”

Socio-demographic and behavioral determinants of hepatitis B vaccination and infection in pregnant women on Mayotte Island, Indian Ocean

“…As expected, PW who used condoms were less likely to be HBV-infected compared to those who never used condoms. This finding indicates that, in addition to vaccination programs to prevent HBV infection among PW, education regarding condoms could be another means of protecting PW from STIs [45]. PW with multiple partners and who reported STIs in the past were also more likely to be HBV-infected.…”

Risk factors for hepatitis B surface antigenaemia among secondary school students in Abakaliki, South Eastern Nigeria

“…The reason for this finding is not clear as it has been severally reported that condom use protects against sexually transmitted diseases including HBV. 47,48 However the respondents' knowledge of proper condom use was not sought for in this study.…”