Risk factors for hepatitis A, B and C virus infection among Swedish expatriates

The influence of different risk factors for viral hepatitis A, B and C, particularly if sexual contact with the indigenous population was related to an increased risk of having hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers, was assessed by multivariate analysis in a logistic regression model in a prospectively enrolled series of 563 adult Swedish expatriates. The most frequently reported recognised risk factors for the acquisition of viral hepatitis (as reported in a self-administered questionnaire) were having received an inoculation during medical or dental treatment, reported by 45% of all subjects, and having had sexual contact with the indigenous population, reported by 35%. Whilst the prevalences of hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) markers in these expatriates were of the same magnitude as previously reported in the general Swedish population, 8% and 0.3%, respectively, the prevalence of markers for a past or present HBV infection was about twice as high (5%). The presence of HBV markers was associated with being a health care professional or having received inoculations during medical or dental treatment in Africa. No significant association was found between having HBV markers and having had sexual contact with the indigenous population.