Hepatitis B and C among adolescents at an STD clinic on the US-Mexico border.

Risky sexual behavior and drug use are factors associated with acquisition of hepatitis B and C. This cross-sectional study investigated hepatitis B and C among 296 adolescents at a sexually transmitted disease clinic in El Paso Texas between April 1 1997 and February 1 1998. Questionnaires medical records abstraction and serum antibody tests provided data on demographics risk factors and seroprevalence status. Only 15% of participants always used condoms 23% had a previous sexually transmitted disease 46% had more than 1 sexual partner in the last 6 months and 7% used intravenous drugs. Results showed low seroprevalence of hepatitis B (4.1%) and hepatitis C (3.1%). No significant risk factors were associated with hepatitis B seroprevalence. In contrast male gender speaking Spanish not attending school having more than 1 sexual partner and injection drug use were all associated with hepatitis C. Hepatitis B and C seroprevalence rates among high-risk adolecents are lower in El Paso than in other similar US populations presenting an ideal climate for prevention programs. (authors)