title: Seroprevalence of hepatitis a and associated socioeconomic factors in young healthy korean adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  An epidemiologic shift of hepatitis A virus (HAV) seroprevalence is expected due to an improvement in socioeconomic status in young adults in Korea. We investigated the age-specific seroprevalence and socioeconomic factors associated with HAV seropositivity in young, healthy Korean adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between March 2009 and February 2010, a total of 5,051 persons from 20 to 49 years of age presenting for a health check-up were included and responded to a questionaire. The seroprevalence of HAV was investigated by measuring immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-HAV. A total of 984 pairs of cases and age- and sex-matched controls were analyzed for associated socioeconomic factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of seropositive HAV was 6.2% in the 20 to 29 age range, 33.1% in the 30 to 39 range and 82.4% in the 40 to 49 range (p<0.001). There were no significant differences in any group according to gender. A multivariate analysis for paired cases indicated that HAV seropositivity was significantly higher in the low monthly income (below five million won, approximately 4,300 dollars) group and the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-positive group (odds ratio [OR], 1.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27-2.14; p<0.001; OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.19-1.76; p<0.001, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HAV seropositivity in young adults presenting for a health checkup appears to be decreasing, and the prevalence was significantly higher in the low monthly income group and the H. pylori-positive group.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Healthcare Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital Healthcare System Gangnam Center, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Goh Eun
authors: GE
authors: Chung
authors: Jeong Yoon
authors: JY
authors: Yim
authors: Donghee
authors: D
authors: Kim
authors: Seon Hee
authors: SH
authors: Lim
authors: Min Jung
authors: MJ
authors: Park
authors: Young Sun
authors: YS
authors: Kim
authors: Sun Young
authors: SY
authors: Yang
authors: Jong In
authors: JI
authors: Yang
authors: Sang-Heon
authors: SH
authors: Cho