title: Seroprevalence of dengue virus infection in Aseer and Jizan regions, Southwestern Saudi Arabia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objectives were to measure seroprevalence of dengue virus (DENV) infection in Southwestern regions of Saudi Arabia and the potential risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two areas in Jizan region and four areas in Aseer region were randomly selected. A random sample of patients attending the outpatients' clinics of the relevant hospitals was included. Blood samples were taken and tested for DENV-specific IgG antibodies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 965 persons. A seroprevalence of 31.7 % (306/965) for DENV specific IgG was found. In logistic regression analysis, the following significant risk factors were identified: age ≥20 years, being male, lack of electricity and having water basins in the house.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study reported the first and the largest seroprevalence study of DENV infection in south-western Saudi Arabia. The relatively high seroprevalence of DENV infection in the study area indicates that it is endemic in the region. Strong and effective health education programs in the study region will help to control DENV infection and public should be discouraged from having indoor water basins. Furthermore, the public should be encouraged to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Tarik A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Al-Azraqi
authors.forename: Awad A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: El Mekki
authors.forename: Ahmed A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Mahfouz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003715:Dengue / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003716:Dengue Virus / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G
keywords: Dengue virus infection; Southwestern Saudi Arabia