title: Hepatitis A seroprevalence in children and adolescents aged 1-18 years among a low socioeconomic population in Izmir, Turkey.
abstract: The age-specific prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection and risk factors were evaluated in a low socioeconomic population in Izmir. Children and adolescents 1-18 years of age admitted to the outpatient clinics for follow-up visits, or healthy children between April-December 2009 were investigated for anti-HAV antibodies by a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire on sociodemographic and hygiene information was obtained from the parents. All unvaccinated children against HAV were grouped according to their age. Seven hundred and twenty-nine children were enrolled in the study. Total HAV IgG seropositivity was 29.5% while age related values were as follows: 1-2 years, 21.4%; 2.1-5 years, 15.1%; 5.1-8 years, 20.1%; 8.1-11 years, 32.6%; 11.1-14 years, 44.3% and 14.1-18 years, 52.4%. The presence of anti-HAV IgG was associated significantly with low family income and lack of education of parents and living in a crowded family. HAV infection was endemic in a population of children living in Izmir. Anti-HAV vaccination should be considered for preschool children because teenagers are at risk of infection in this region.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Tepecik Teaching and Research Hospital, 119/1 sk. No: 5 Basinkent site B blok/6, 35050 Bornova, Izmir, Turkey. oyahalicioglu@yahoo.com.tr
authors.forename: Oya
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Halicioglu
authors.forename: Sezin A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Akman
authors.forename: Bengu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tatar
authors.forename: Ruya
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Atesli
authors.forename: Sukran
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kose
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D030041:Hepatitis A virus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011203:Poverty; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies