title: Environmental risk factors for hepatitis A infection in the Zenica-Doboj Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
abstract: In the Zenica-Doboj Canton, 1106 hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections were reported during 2000 (an incidence rate of 252/100 000 population), with 996 (90.1%) cases occurring in nine community-wide outbreaks. Analysis of water supplies showed that 398 (19.1%) samples contained coliforms, including 202 (50.8%) that were contaminated with thermotolerant Escherichia coli. Sewage sanitation systems were absent or substandard in 53 910 (81.8%) rural households. The group most affected during outbreaks comprised children aged 7-14 years (incidence rate of 598/100 000). The development of health promotion and prevention initiatives in schools, combined with rigorous hygiene measures, will be necessary to achieve control of the spread of HAV.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Clinical and Sanitary Microbiology, Contonal Public Health Institute Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. selma_kamb@yahoo.com
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uzunovic-Kamberovic
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Durmisevic
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tandir
mesh_terms: D017522:Bosnia and Herzegovina / Q000453:epidemiology; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012499:Sanitation; D012722:Sewage; D014881:Water Supply / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D012722:Sewage