Analysis of the vulnerability of adolescents to hepatitis B in Teresina/PI

Abstract

Adolescents are part of a group with a high susceptibility to infection with the hepatitis B virus, due to the adoption of high-risk behaviors. This study aimed at analyzing the vulnerability of adolescents to hepatitis B. In order to do so, a study was developed with 196 adolescents between 14 and 19 years of age, utilizing an epidemiological survey. Results showed that 57.1% of the adolescents were sexually active; 45.5% of them did not have a stable partner, 54.5% were aged between 14 and 16 years, 24.1% did not use a condom during sexual relations, 62.8% stated they were not aware of the mode of transmission of the hepatitis B virus and 61.2% had not received the vaccine against this virus. Therefore, adolescents constitute a vulnerable group to hepatitis B, due to conditioning and determinant factors, such as lack of awareness regarding the disease, poor vaccine coverage, adoption of high-risk behaviors and a feeling of invulnerability to the disease.

Descriptors: Adolescent; Hepatitis B; Vulnerability; Nursing Care.