ETHNICITY, SOCIOECONOMIC-STATUS, TRANSFUSIONS AND RISK OF HEPATITIS-BAND HEPATITIS-C INFECTION

This study identifies the risk factors for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) and measures the prevalence of hepatitis B su rface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to hepatitis C (anti-HCV) in the ge neral population of Jakarta. A population-based sample of 985 people a ged 15 and above was surveyed. Risk factors mere identified through qu estionnaires and home visits. Serum was analysed for HBsAg, antibody t o hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs), anti-HCV, aspartate aminotra nsferase (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 hi gher risk of having HBV infection compared with the Malayan ethnic gro up (adjusted OR 2.97; 95% CI 1.22-7.83). There was moderate positive t rend 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 transfu sion were significant risk factors for hepatitis C (adjusted OR 3.03; 95% CI 1.25-7.33). Hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections have differe nt risk factors in Jakarta, a high risk in population for both disease s. Hepatitis B transmission is associated with low socioeconomic statu s, Chinese ethnic group and large family size, while hepatitis C is as sociated with an older age and a history of transfusions.