title: Seroprevalence of hepatitis e virus among primary school children.
abstract: To investigate the seroprevalence of anti-hepatitis E virus antibody among primary school children in the two different areas of Denizli, Turkey. Methodology : Anti-HEV antibodies were investigated in 185 primary school children (91 from rural areas and 94 from urban areas of Denizli). The children were divided into two age groups as seven-year old group and fourteen-year old group. Samples were tested for anti-HEV Ab by an enzyme-linked immunoassay. Results : A total of 23 primary school children were anti-HEV Ab positive, giving a prevalence of 12.4%. The seroprevalence rate was 13.1% in rural areas and 11.7% in urban areas. The difference in the seropositive rates was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Among 185 primary school children, Anti-HEV antibodies were positive 17 (18.1%) in seven-year old group, and 6 (6.6%) in fourteen-year old group. The difference in the seropositive rates was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusions : There was no association between the anti-HEV Ab and gender, socioeconomic level, parental educational level, rural or urban areas. Anti-HEV Ab seroprevalence was higher in seven-year old children than fourteen-year old children.
authors.affiliation: Nural Cevahir, Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nural
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cevahir
authors.affiliation: Melek Demir, Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Melek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Demir
authors.affiliation: Ali Ihsan Bozkurt, Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ali Ihsan
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Bozkurt
authors.affiliation: Ahmet Ergin, Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ergin
authors.affiliation: Ilknur Kaleli, Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ilknur
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kaleli
keywords: Anti-HEV Ab; Rural area; School children; Seroprevalence; Urban area