Seroepidemiology of hepatitis A virus in children of different age groups in Tehran, Iran: implications for health policy.
BACKGROUND
Hepatitis A is one of the most frequently reported vaccine-preventable diseases throughout the world and remains endemic in many areas. Studies in various communities have shown that Hepatitis A virus (HAV) prevalence rises with age. The current data regarding hepatitis A epidemiology in Iran is limited. The aim of this study was to determine the seroepidemiology of hepatitis A in children of different age groups in Tehran, Iran.


METHODS
Plasma samples of 1065 children between ages of 6 months and 20 years were tested for the presence of total anti-HAV. The study population was stratified according to age.


RESULTS
The prevalence of total anti-HAV was 61.6%. HAV prevalence rates according to age groups were as follows: 61.5% between 6 months and 1.9 years, 51.7% between 2 and 5.9 years, 52.9% between 6 and 10.9 years, 65.2% between 11 and 15.9 years, 85% between 16 and 20 years. Total anti-HAV seroprevalence was significantly different between age groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The study findings indicate that hepatitis A is prevalent in children in Tehran, Iran and HAV infection is an important public health problem in this region.
Sofian
Masoomeh
M
Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran. ma_sofian@yahoo.com
Aghakhani
Arezoo
A
Farazi
Ali-Asghar
AA
Banifazl
Mohammad
M
Etemadi
Gelavizh
G
Azad-Armaki
Saeed
S
Ziazarifi
Abolhassan
A
Abhari
Zohreh
Z
Eslamifar
Ali
A
Khadem-Sadegh
Akbar
A
Izadi
Nabiallah
N
Ramezani
Amitis
A
D000293:Adolescent; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D030041:Hepatitis A virus; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D055815:Young Adult
D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M