Sexual and parenteral risk factors in subjects surveyed during a campaign against viral hepatitis (2013), Rosario, Argentina

Viral liver disease is a problem and a challenge for physicians and their patients. A campaign for the detection and vaccination againstviral hepatitis was performed in August 2013 in the city of Rosario, Argentina. This work aims to characterize the main sexual (SRF)and parenteral (PRF) risk factors among those volunteers attending the campaign. A cross-sectional study was conducted using avalidated questionnaire. It was found that 37.1% (95% CI: 32.8-41.6%) of the respondents mentioned at least one SRF; the mostprevalent factor was the presence of unsafe sex with 68.9% (61.6-75.6%). On the other hand, 35.7% (31.4-40.1%) referred atleast one PRF, of which the most frequent were the use of piercings and tattoos with 74.6% (67.4-80.9%) and 48% (40,3-55.7%)respectively. Men reported higher exposure to SRF than women (37.2% vs 16.2%, p= 0.019) among individuals older than 60 years;while for those under 40 years, women were more likely to show PRF (64.5% vs 45.0%, p= 0.016). The prevalence of risk factorswas increased while decreasing age of respondents. Young people between 18 and 30 also showed association between SRF and PRF(p = 0,01). Risk factors studied varied according to age groups and genders. It is necessary to provide education targeted to differentpopulation groups, focusing on their particular characteristics and weaknesses of each of them