Co-Infection Of Hepatitis B Or C And Human Immunodeficiency Virus: An Exploratory Study In The State Of Sao Paulo, Brazil, 2007 To 2010

to describe the characteristics of cases of co-infection by virus of hepatitis B (HBV) and/or C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Methods: a descriptive study about cases reported to the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (Sinan) in the period 2007-2010; were analyzed socio-demographic, clinical and behavioral variables. Results: in 46,969 reported cases of viral hepatitis, 1,318 (2.8%) corresponded to cases of co-infection HIV/HBV, 3,032 (6.45%) of co-infection HIV/HCV and 201 (0.43%) of co-infection HIV/HBV/HCV; sexual contact with carriers of HBV or HCV was more prevalent in HIV/HBV co-infection; use of drugs showed a higher proportion in cases of co-infection HIV/HCV, most often in individuals aged 40 years or more (p<0.001). Conclusion: risk factors and transmission mechanisms common to hepatitis viruses and HIV may explain the high frequency of co-infection.