A seroepidemiologic study of hepatitis A in Spanish children. Relationship of prevalence to age and socio-environmental factors.
Three child population groups from the Madrid area were studied for anti-HAV antibodies. Analysis was carried out with respect to age and socio-environmental factors. The population understudy was composed of 156 children, with ages ranging from 1 to 14 years; they were stratified in three socio-environmental groups (white-family unit, gypsy-family unit and orphanage), and also divided into subgroups according to age. As a whole, an age-related increase in prevalence was found. The overall seroprevalence by socio-environmental groups was: gypsy-family unit 63%, orphanage 46%, and white-family unit 23%. Significant differences between groups appeared from seven years on, being more marked among the eldest subgroups. Among the factors evaluated, hygienic-sanitary conditions and overcrowding influenced the high prevalence rate found in the gypsy-family unit subjects, whereas overcrowding appeared to be responsible for the higher prevalence in orphanage residents, as compared to white-family unit children.
Morales
J L
JL
SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, Madrid, Spain.
Huber
L
L
Gallego
S
S
Alvarez
G
G
Diez-Delgado
J
J
González
A
A
Aguilar
L
L
Dal-Ré
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002674:Child, Institutionalized / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006798:Housing / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene / Q000592:standards; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D006178:Romani People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies