Population-based survey of hepatitis A virus infection in the Republic of San Marino.
In 1990-1991, the prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis A virus infection (anti-HAV) was assayed by the ELISA method among 1528 apparently healthy subjects, 20-85 years old in the Republic of San Marino. Subjects were selected from the list of residents by a random stratified sampling procedure with a proportional allocation by age, sex and district of residence. The overall anti-HAV prevalence was 64.7%; it increased from 28.6% in subjects 20-30 years old to 97% in those > 60 years (p < 0.01). No gender difference was observed. At the multivariate analysis age > 40 years (OR: 39.5; 95% CI: 12.4-126) and lowest level of schooling (OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.1-2.9), which is a good indirect indicator of socio-economic status, resulted both independent predictors of anti-HAV seropositivity. These findings reflect the improved sanitation standards in this area and indicate that the proportion of non-immune adults is increasing with a higher risk of symptomatic infection in the near future.
Stroffolini
T
T
Laboratorio di Epidemiologia, ISS Roma, Italy.
Pretolani
S
S
Miglio
F
F
Rapicetta
M
M
Villano
U
U
Bonvicini
F
F
Baldini
L
L
Sampogna
F
F
Giulianelli
G
G
Stefanelli
M L
ML
Carloni
A
A
Sorcinelli
A
A
Ghironzi
G
G
Gasbarrini
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D012496:San Marino / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies