Hepatitis B Prevalence in Young Women Living in Low-Income Areas

BACKGROUND: The risk of sexually transmitted hepatitis B virus infection is proportionally higher for young adults and women. Low socioeconomic groups have high rates of hepatitis B infection with no identified source of transmission. The prevalence and correlates of transmission of hepatitis B virus among young women of low socioeconomic status have not been well documented. GOAL: To determine the population-based prevalence and correlates of sexually acquired hepatitis B virus infection in young low-income women in the San Francisco Bay Area. STUDY DESIGN: A three-county, door-to-door serosurvey of hepatitis B virus core antibody among young women living in low-income areas was conducted from April 1996 to January 1998. Multivariate analysis of sexually acquired hepatitis B virus infection excluded participants of Asian or Pacific Islander ethnicity or with a history of intravenous drug use or transfusion. RESULTS: The prevalence of sexually acquired hepatitis B virus infection was 6.4% (95% CI, 4.7%-8.1%). Correlates of infection were black race (odds ratio, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.2-11.9 compared with white race) and herpes simplex virus type 2 infection (odds ratio, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.0-3.9). CONCLUSIONS: Young black women have a higher risk of sexually acquired hepatitis B virus infection. Herpes simplex virus type 2 infection may predispose to hepatitis B virus infection and/or be a marker for lifetime sexual risk behavior.