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Prevalence and Risk Factors for Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Roma and Non-Roma People in Slovakia

Author

Listed:
  • Sylvia Drazilova

    (Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Poprad, 058 01 Poprad, Slovakia)

  • Martin Janicko

    (1st Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, P.J. Safarik University and L. Pasteur University Hospital, Kosice, 040 11 Kosice, Slovakia)

  • Pavol Kristian

    (Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, P.J. Safarik University and L. Pasteur University Hospital, Kosice, 040 01 Kosice, Slovakia)

  • Ivan Schreter

    (Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, P.J. Safarik University and L. Pasteur University Hospital, Kosice, 040 01 Kosice, Slovakia)

  • Monika Halanova

    (Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, P.J. Safarik University, Kosice, 041 80 Kosice, Slovakia)

  • Ingrid Urbancikova

    (Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Children´s Faculty Hospital, P.J. Safarik University, Kosice, 040 11 Kosice, Slovakia)

  • Andrea Madarasova-Geckova

    (Department of Health Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, P.J. Safarik University, Kosice, 040 11 Kosice, Slovakia)

  • Maria Marekova

    (Department of Medical and Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, P.J. Safarik University, Kosice, 040 11 Kosice, Slovakia)

  • Daniel Pella

    (1st Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, P.J. Safarik University and L. Pasteur University Hospital, Kosice, 040 11 Kosice, Slovakia)

  • Peter Jarcuska

    (1st Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, P.J. Safarik University and L. Pasteur University Hospital, Kosice, 040 11 Kosice, Slovakia)

  • HepaMeta Team

    (Faculty of Medicine, P.J. Safarik University, Kosice, 040 11 Kosice, Slovakia)

Abstract

Prevalence of Hepatitis B is relatively low in developed European countries. However specific subpopulations may exist within each country with markedly different Hepatitis B burden. Roma minority is very numerous in Slovakia and their lifestyle is completely different to non-Roma population. The aim of this study is to map Hepatitis B prevalence in Roma and compare it to non-Roma population and to explore potential socio-economic and health related risk factors. Cross-sectional epidemiology study was performed in Slovakia that included randomly sampled Roma population and geographically corresponding random sampled non-Roma population. Comprehensive questionnaire about risk factors was administered and blood samples were drawn for Hepatitis B serology and virology tests. Altogether 855 participants were included. Global Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg) positivity rate was 7.7% (i.e., active Hepatitis B) and anti Hepatitis B core IgG antibody (antiHBcIgG) positivity rate was 34.6%. Roma population had significantly higher prevalence of Hepatitis B, both active chronic infection (12.4%; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 9.58%–15.97% versus 2.8%; 95% CI 1.56%–4.91%; p < 0.0001) and antiHBcIgG positivity (52.8%; 95% CI 48.17%–57.44% versus 25.9%; 95% CI 12.56%–20.02%; p < 0.0001) Main risk factors for HBsAg positivity were Roma ethnicity, male sex and tattoo. Conclusion: There is a very high prevalence of Hepatitis B in Roma communities in Slovakia, with potential for grave medical consequences.

Suggested Citation

  • Sylvia Drazilova & Martin Janicko & Pavol Kristian & Ivan Schreter & Monika Halanova & Ingrid Urbancikova & Andrea Madarasova-Geckova & Maria Marekova & Daniel Pella & Peter Jarcuska & HepaMeta Team, 2018. "Prevalence and Risk Factors for Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Roma and Non-Roma People in Slovakia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-11, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:5:p:1047-:d:148409
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pavol Jarcuska & Daniela Bobakova & Jan Uhrin & Ladislav Bobak & Ingrid Babinska & Peter Kolarcik & Zuzana Veselska & Andrea Madarasova Geckova, 2013. "Are barriers in accessing health services in the Roma population associated with worse health status among Roma?," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 58(3), pages 427-434, June.
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    1. Sylvia Drazilova & Pavol Kristian & Martin Janicko & Monika Halanova & Dominik Safcak & Patricia Denisa Dorcakova & Maria Marekova & Daniel Pella & Andrea Madarasova-Geckova & Peter Jarcuska & HepaMet, 2020. "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?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-10, May.
    2. Zelmira Macejova & Pavol Kristian & Martin Janicko & Monika Halanova & Sylvia Drazilova & Daniela Antolova & Maria Marekova & Daniel Pella & Andrea Madarasova-Geckova & Peter Jarcuska & HepaMeta Team, 2020. "The Roma Population Living in Segregated Settlements in Eastern Slovakia Has a Higher Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome, Kidney Disease, Viral Hepatitis B and E, and Some Parasitic Diseases Compared to," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-12, April.
    3. Barbara Pavlikova & Lenka Freel & Jitse P. van Dijk, 2020. "To Comply or Not to Comply: Roma Approach to Health Laws," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-13, April.
    4. Michal Kozubik & Jitse P. van Dijk & Daniela Filakovska Bobakova, 2019. "Aspects of Illness and Death among Roma—Have They Changed after More than Two Hundred Years?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-11, November.

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